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 promising maiden gallopers by Frankel (GB), Lucky Vega (Ire) and I Am Invincible chase success across Australia on Wednesday.
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 2.10pm, AEST, Asahi Super Dry 3YO Maiden Handicap, $100,000, 1400m
Satin Serenade, 3-year-old filly (Frankel (GB) x Satin Ribbons {Capitalist})
The very promising Chris Waller-trained Satin Serenade (Frankel {GB}) lines up at Warwick Farm on Wednesday chasing maiden success at start number three over 1400 metres in the hands of Jason Collett.
She has ran two solid seconds at both of her two career starts so far, and while she may appreciate a little further in time, she looks a good chance in a competitive affair.
Frankel (GB) | Standing at Juddmonte
Satin Serenade was bred and raced by Mrs Belinda Bateman. She is by the outstanding Frankel (GB) and is the first foal out of the three-time winner Satin Ribbons (Capitalist).
Satin Ribbons is a half-sister to the Listed winner Satin Slipper (Pierro), who is the dam of the Listed winner and G1 Colmore Stud Stakes-placed I Am Unstoppable. Satin Ribbon's grandam Satin Shoes (Flying Spur) was classy winning the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes and another two Listed events.
Satin Ribbons in recent times has left an Extreme Choice 2-year-old filly and is due to foal to Home Affairs any day now.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 2, 1.45pm AEST, Sportsbet Fast Form 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1000m
Novamira, 3-year-old filly (Lucky Vega (Ire) x Unforgotten {Fastnet Rock})
The Chris Waller-trained and Yulong bred and raced filly Novamira (Lucky Vega {Ire}) makes her second start at Sandown on Wednesday on the back of a strong second on debut at Bendigo behind the promising I Am Aria (I Am Invincible).
Novamira is the third foal out of the G1 Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) who was also placed at the elite level another four times.
Novamira as yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Novamira is a full-sister to the dual-winner and Group 2-placed filly Mystery ‘n’ Drama (Lucky Vega {Ire}) and the winner Anyone (I Am Invincible).
There are some beautiful stallion influences within Novamira’s pedigree, including Shamardal (USA), Cape Cross (Ire), Nureyev (USA), Danehill (USA) and Galileo (Ire).
Unforgotten, in recent times has left a 2-year-old filly by Pierata, a yearling filly by Written Tycoon, and missed to Extreme Choice to Northern Hemisphere time in late March this year.
Novamira was passed in short of her $500,000 reserve at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Ipswich, Race 2, 1.18pm AEST, Racing And Sports Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Irreverent, 4-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Flippant {Hinchinbrook})
The beautifully-bred Irreverent (I Am Invincible) looks a great chance at Ipswich on Wednesday for in-form trainer Tony Gollan.
She brings rock solid form to this event having placed in six of her nine starts, so she is very much deserving of maiden success.
Irreverent is out of the classy Flippant (Hinchinbrook), who was a winner at Group 3 level, and Listed level three times. Flippant is also a three-quarter-sister to the seven-time winner I Am Excited (Snitzel), her career highlight was winning the G1 Galaxy Handicap, and only last week her daughter Over Excited (Zoustar) was a very impressive winner at Geelong and looks destined for future stakes races.
Irreverent as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is also the extended family of the Group 1 winners Atlantic Jewel (Danehill {USA}), Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and Commanding Jewel (Commands).
Flippant, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old colt by I Am Invincible, a yearling filly by Hellbent, and is due to foal again to Hellbent in late October.
Irreverent was purchased by the TFI/Kia Ora Joint Venture for $750,000 from the Yarraman Park Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Tasman Deel (Dundeel {NZ}) - Ran a solid race on debut for third at Scone.
Punxsutawney Phil (Ole Kirk) - Was a dominant winner at Scone.
