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.
Three very well-bred 3-year-olds by Wootton Bassett (GB), Maurice (Jpn) and Home Affairs chase success across a strong day of racing across Australasia on Saturday.
Te Rapa, Race 1, 10.43am AEST (12.43pm local), Banquo 3YO Maiden, NZ$25,000, 1200m
Coniston (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Le Gai Soleil (NZ) {Tavistock {NZ}})
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 3-year-old colt Coniston (Wootton Bassett (GB) makes his debut at Te Rapa on Saturday. The well-bred colt has won his last three trials at Avondale, Waipa and Avondale and looks a good chance on debut, although Michael McNab will have to weave his magic from a wide barrier as closer to the rail on the fresh ground may be the place to be early in the day.
Coniston is the first foal out of the seven-time winner Le Gai Soleil (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), her best win was in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap.
Wootton Bassett (GB) | Standing at Coolmore Stud
Le Gai Soleil is very well-bred being a three-quarter-sister to the Group 3 winner Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who sold for $350,000 at this year's Inglis Chairman’s Sale and a half-sister to the dual Group 1-winner Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
This is also the extended family of the three-time Group 1-winner Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel).
Le Gai Soleil, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old colt by Proisir, a yearling filly by Super Seth, and is due to foal again to Super Seth this spring.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 1, 12.30pm AEST, The Valley @ Sandown 3YO Handicap, $150,000, 1400m
Vallice, 3-year-old colt (Maurice (Jpn) x Moselle Valley (Ger) {Guiliani {Ire}})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Gallice (Maurice {Jpn}) chases win number two at Sandown at only start number four on Saturday over 1400 metres.
The promising colt was an impressive winner on the Sandown Lakeside circuit back in June and resumed with an eye-catching effort for fourth on the Caulfield Heath at his last start where he was beaten less than a length after making a long sustained run. With natural improvement off that effort he looks a good each-way chance in this race.
Valice as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Gallice is out of the placed-mare Moselle Valley (Ger) (Guillani {Ire}), Moselle Valley is very well-bred being a full-sister to the Group 3 winner Mountaha (Ger) (Guillani {Ire}) and a three-quarter-sister to the G1 Doomben Cup winner and stallion Mawingo (Ger).
Another family member is the Listed Warrnambool Cup winner Mystery Island (Jpn) (Victoire Pisa {Jpn}).
Moselle Valley, since producing Vallice, has missed to In The Congo and sadly her Schwarz filly foal died after birth this spring.
Vallice was purchased for $200,000 by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock out of the Aristia Park draft at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Newcastle, Race 8, 4.50pm AEST, Tooheys Super Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1400m
Endeavour, 3-year-old colt (Home Affairs x Sweet Sister {Snitzel})
The Chris Waller-trained Endeavour (Home Affairs) makes his second start at Newcastle on Saturday on the back of a solid fourth at Canterbury on August 5 behind Phantom Major (Snitzel).
The beautifully-bred son of Home Affairs is out of the unraced Snitzel mare Sweet Sister. She is very well-bred being a full-sister to the G1 Galaxy Handicap winner Sweet Idea (Snitzel) and the dual Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed stallion Showtime.
Endeavour as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sweet Sister has also proven herself at stud leaving four winners, including the Listed 2-year-old winner Supreme Idea (I Am Invincible).
Since producing Endeavour, Sweet Sister has left a 2-year-old colt by Home Affairs, a yearling colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) and is due to foal to Farnan in October.
Endeavour was purchased for $360,000 by Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Both Occupation (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and French Melody (Maurice {Jpn}) were impressive winners for trainer Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah.
