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 3-year-old debutants by Toronado (Ire) and Written Tycoon chase success at Bendigo on Sunday.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Bendigo Mazda 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1100m
Over The Bridge, 3-year-old filly (Toronado (Ire) x Waafiya {Snitzel})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Over The Bridge (Toronado {Ire}) makes her debut at Bendigo on Sunday in the hands of Mark Zahra.
She has looked good at the trials and jump-outs and looks a good chance over the 1100 metres.
Over The Bridge as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Over The Bridge is out of the winning Snitzel mare Waafiya, who has already left the dual winner High On The Hill (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Over The Bridge’s grandam You’re So Good (NZ) (Savabeel) who was the winner at Listed level and placed in the G1 Australian Guineas.
This is also the family of the dual Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice) and the Group 2 winning and Group 1-producing sire Pariah.
Waafiya in recent times has left a 2-year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB), a yearling filly by Pierata and is due to foal to Home Affairs in late October.
Over The Bridge was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $250,000 from the Kulani Park draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Bendigo, Race 4, 1.35pm AEST, Adroit Insurance and Risk 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Written Empire, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Altea (Fr) {Siyouni {Fr}})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Written Empire (Written Tycoon) makes his debut at Bendigo on Sunday over 1300 metres. He has jumped out sharply at Flemington and has top jockey Craig Williams aboard.
Written Empire is out of the American Listed-winner Altea (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Oakfield Iowa (Lope de Vega {Ire) has been her only foal to race so far and she has been a winner at Scone over 1300 metres and looks quite promising fo trainer Kris Lees.
Written Empire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Written Empire has a lot of strong international influences in his pedigree including Last Tycoon (Ire), Kalamoun (GB), Pivotal (GB), Danzig (USA) and Irish River (Fr).
Altea in recent times has left a 2-year-old filly by Pierata, a yearling colt by Lucky Vega (Ire) and is due to foal to Growing Empire in November.
Written Empire was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock and Elsdon Park for $320,000 from the Yulong draft at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Blind Raise (NZ) (Sandown) - Won the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes.
Satin Serenade (Frankel {GB}) - Scratched at Hawkesbury.
Performer (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) - Won at Taranaki in New Zealand.
