Looking Ahead highlights runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are an exceptionally well-bred or high-priced runner early in their career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse that has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Two Matthew Dunn-trained runners by Wootton Bassett (GB) and Maurice (Jpn) chase maiden success at Murwillumbah on Friday.
Murwillumbah, Race 1, 12.40pm, AEST, TAB Were On Country Boosted Maiden Showcase Handicap, $35,000, 1550m
Occupation, 4-year-old gelding (Wootton Bassett (GB) x No More Tears (NZ) {Darci Brahma {NZ}})
The Matthew Dunn-trained Occupation (Wootton Bassett {GB}) chases maiden success at Murwillumbah at start number four on Thursday.
The well-bred gelding has placed at his last two starts and looks ready to break through over 1550 metres in the hands of Aaron Bullock.
Occupation is out of the smart mare No More Tears (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who was successful in the G3 Mr Tiz Trophy and the Listed Soliloquy Stakes on the track. She has then went on to excel as a broodmare leaving the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner and stallion Ozzmosis and the Group 3-winner Hughes (Russian Revolution) among her three winners.
Occupation as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This is also the family of the smart black type winning sprinters Invictus Salute (Exceed And Excel), Acrobat, Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}), Lake Geneva (Fastnet Rock), and Splintex.
No More Tears in recent times has left a 3-year-old gelding named Ozzbourne (Zoustar) who has only raced once, a yearling colt by Zoustar and is due to foal to the Widden Stud-based Champion stallion again later this month.
Occupation was purchased by Viva Racing and Neil Jenkinson (FBAA) for $40,000 via the 2025 Inglis November (Early) Online Sale after he was previously passed in at both the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale and the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Murwillumbah, Race 6, 3.35pm, AEST, Bundaberg Rum Super Maiden Showcase Plate, $50,000, 1200m
French Melody, 4-year-old mare (Maurice (Jpn) x Amberio (NZ) {Captain Rio {GB}})
The Matthew Dunn-trained French Melody (Maurice {Jpn}) chases maiden success at Murwillumbah on Thursday at start number two. She ran a solid third on debut at Ipswich over 1100 metres on August 7 behind The Grand Duchy (Power {GB}) and the step up to 1200 metres looks ideal.
French Melody is out of the Listed Matamata Cup winner Amberio (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}) who also placed fourth in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.
French Melody as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The family is a bit quiet on black-type but the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner Noble Times (NZ) (Drums Of Time {USA}) features as does the G1 Del Mar Oaks winner Dublino (USA) (Lear Fan {USA}).
Amberio in recent times has left a 3-year-old filly named Autumn Amber (The Autumn Sun), a yearling filly by Thunder Fantasy, and is due to foal to Thunder Fantasy again in early November.
French Melody was passed in short of her $50,000 reserve at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Artemex (Extreme Choice) - Scratched from his race at Hawkesbury and ran at Warwick Farm on Wednesday where he finished a battling seventh.
Harrybegood (Harry Angel {Ire}) - Was an impressive winner at Hawkesbury.
