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.
Promising types by Trapeze Artist and Almanzor (Fr) chase maiden success at Warrnambool and Te Aroha on Thursday.
Warrnambool, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Western District Electrical Services Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Grifter, 3-year-old gelding (Trapeze Artist x Constanzia {Pierro})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Grifter (Trapeze Artist) chases maiden success at start number two at Warrnambool on Thursday. He ran a slashing third on debut behind Obambulate (Tiger Of Malay) in May, and after a freshen up looks like a good chance resuming in the hands of Thomas Stockdale.
Grifter is the first foal out of the five-time winning Pierro mare Constanzia and his grandam Mafia Miss (Mossman) was a smart 2-year-old placing in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes, Listed Widden Stakes and running fourth in the G2 Magic Night Stakes.
Grifter as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This is also the extended family of the R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas and G3 Vo Rogue Plate winner Punch On (Tiger Hill {Ire}).
Constanzia also has produced 2-year-old and yearling fillies by Trapeze Artist and is due to foal to him again any day now.
Grifter was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Starblue Consultancy for $50,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Te Aroha, Race 5, 12.11pm AEST (2.11pm local), Colin West Panelbeaters Maiden, NZ$25,000, 1400m
Kalgarry Ally, 4-year-old mare (Almanzor (Fr) x Chesapeake (NZ) {Per Incanto {USA}})
The Darryn and Briar Weatherley-trained Kalgarry Ally (Almanzor {Fr}) takes her place at Te Aroha on Thursday over 1400 metres in the hands of Samantha Collett.
She has been in consistent form lately placing in her last three starts at Pukekohe and Te Rapa and looks a good chance to break through for maiden success.
Kalgarry Ally is out of the unraced Per Incanto (USA) mare Chesapeake (NZ), who has proved herself at stud leaving the G2 Wellington Guineas winner Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}).
Kalgarry Ally as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
This is also the extended family of the outstanding 14-time Group 1 winner Goldikova (Fr) (Anabaa {USA}) and the Group 1 winner Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}).
Chesapeake in recent years has produced a 3-year-old filly named Hearts Will Melt (NZ) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) that is trained by Joseph Pride, a 2-year-old filly by Ardrossan, a yearling filly by Chaldean (GB), and is due to foal to Chaldean again this spring.
Kalgarry Ally was purchased by GI Box for NZ$50,000 from the KB Bloodstock draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
Looking Back
Satin Serenade (Frankel {GB}) - Was scratched from her race at Warwick Farm, she will keep for another day.
Novamira (Lucky Vega {Ire}) - Disappointed running ninth at Sandown.
Irreverent (I Am Invincible) - Gained a very much deserved maiden victory at Ipswich.
