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 promising 3-year-olds by Maurice (Jpn) chase maiden success on the Kensington, while a well-credentialled Home Affairs 3-year-old filly chases win number two in the Coolmore colours on the Sandown Hillside circuit.
Kensington, Race 1, 1.35pm, AEST, Tropicus @ Vinery Stud Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1800m
Stitzer (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Maurice (Jpn) x Never Been Kissed (NZ) {Tivaci})
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Stitzer (Maurice (Jpn) chases maiden success at Kembla Grange on Saturday at start number four. The good-looking colt showed plenty of promise in a couple of strong races as a 2-year-old, and while he disappointed first-up at Kembla Grange, with more distance and in-form Zac Lloyd aboard he looks a good each-way chance
Stitzer is the first foal out of the classy Waikato Stud filly Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci) who was successful in the G1 Flight Stakes.
Stitzer (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Never Been Kissed is a half-sister to the Listed-placed Hollywood Hero (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), and comes from the extended family of the dual Group 2 winning New Zealand stallion Ocean Emperor (NZ) and the classy Group 1 winning mares Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel).
Never Been Kissed, in recent years, has produced a 2-year-old colt by Ocean Park (NZ), and a yearling colt by Ardrossan before she sadly died late last year.
Stitzer was purchased by O’Shea and Charlton Racing and James Bester Bloodstock for $300,000 from the Waikato Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Kensington, Race 3, 2.45pm, AEST, Racing and Sports 3YO Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1150m
Movie Star, 3-year-old filly (Maurice (Jpn) x She’s Clean {Redoute’s Choice})
The Chris Waller-trained Movie Star (Maurice {Jpn}) chases maiden success on the Kensington on Wednesday at start number three.
The Ingham Racing-owned filly that wears the familiar cerise colours has ran two very solid placings at Wyong to start her career, and she looks well placed in this maiden event, although jockey Tommy Berry will have to weave some magic from a wide barrier.
Maurice (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Movie Star is out of the 10-time winner She’s Clean (Redoute’s Choice) who was successful at Group 3 level and Listed level twice. She has also done a job at stud leaving the $2.5 million earner and Group 2 winner Robusto (Churchill {Ire}).
This is also the extended family of the G1 Doncaster Handicap and G1 Queen Of The Turf winner Nettoyer (Sebring) and the Group 1 Oaks winning Redoute’s Choice pair of Abbey Marie and Absolutely.
Since producing Movie Star, She’s Clean has left a 2-year-old colt by Justify (USA) before she was retired from stud.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 5, 2.20pm, AEST, Sportsbet Feed 3YO BM64 Handicap, $50,000, 1000m
Jacaranda, 3-year-old filly (Home Affairs x Gracie’s Lass {Redoute’s Choice})
The very well-bred Jacaranda (Home Affairs) chases win number two at Sandown at start number five for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes on Wednesday.
She was an impressive winner at Seymour on debut back in January and she subsequently ran strong fifths in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium and the Listed Festival Stakes.
She has since had a break and ran fourth at Listed level in Adelaide and then a close-up second at Sandown last start behind the promising Buggsy (Harry Angel {Ire}).
Jacaranda is out of Gracie’s Lass (Redoute’s Choice), making her a half-sister to the G1 Canterbury Stakes and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Artorius, now a young stallion standing at Newgate Farm.
Jacaranda as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Artorius also finished in the top four in another seven Group 1 races, including twice at Royal Ascot. Another half-sibling is the Group 3 winning colt and potnetial stallion prospect Sixties (Flying Artie).
Delectation (Shamardal {USA}) is also another family member, and he counted the G1 Darley Classic, and the G2 Royal Sovereign Stakes among his five career wins.
In recent years, Gracie’s Lass has produced a 2-year-old colt by Pinatubo (Ire), a yearling colt by Pierata, and is due to foal to Toronado (Ire) in early November.
Jacaranda was purchased by Tom Magnier for $300,000 from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Jourama (Frosted {USA}) - Ran a brave second at Moe, a win looks close for this well-bred gelding.
Chatoyer (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) - Ran an honest enough sixth on debut at Muswellbrook. She should continue to improve as she steps up in distance.
