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.
Well-bred types by Snitzel and Written Tycoon chase success at Seymour on Thursday afternoon.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 4, 3pm, AEST, Tallarook Sheds Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Gold Chalice, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Harlow Gold (NZ) {Tavistock {NZ}})
The Mark Walker-trained 3-year-old colt Gold Chalice (Snitzel) chases maiden success at start number three at Seymour on Thursday. He ran third on debut at Geelong in June and last month disappointed a touch when running fourth at Bendigo on a wet track.
He looks well-placed in this maiden event on the back of a fourth at the Cranbourne jump-outs on August 24.
Gold Chalice is out of the Tavistock (NZ) mare Harlow Gold (NZ). She won twice but was placed in both the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes and the G1 Victorian Oaks, as well as running fourth in the G1 Australian Oaks and the G1 Australian Guineas against the boys.
Gold Chalice as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Harlow Gold is also very well-related being a full-sister to the Listed Sandown Cup winner Diwali (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and a half-sister to the stakes winners Travolta (NZ) (Handsome Ransom) and Weissmuller (Handsome Ransom).
This is also the family of the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
Harlow Gold in recent times has unfortunately missed the last three breeding seasons.
Gold Chalice was purchased for $1,000,000 by Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) / Te Akau Racing from the Glenlogan Park draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 5, 3.30pm, AEST, RMBL Investments Rising Stars Race BM62 Handicap, $35,000, 1200m
Lyrics ‘N’ Song, 4-year-old mare (Written Tycoon x Melody Belle (NZ) {Commands})
The beautifully-bred Lyrics ‘N’ Song (Written Tycoon) chases her second win at start number six for her trainer Mark Walker at Seymour on Thursday.
The well-bred mare has already won at Cranbourne and been placed in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes late last year, and resumed with a sixth placing on a wet track at Geelong and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back from that after jumping-out nicely at Cranbourne.
Lyrics ‘N’ Song as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Lyrics ‘N’ Song is the first foal out of the New Zealand Champion mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who was a 19-time winner, including at Group 1 level 14 times.
Melody Belle herself was purchased by the Written Tycoon Syndicate for $2,600,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale and resides at Yulong Stud, of who retained this exciting filly to race and no doubt breed from in the future.
Another family member is last season's G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}).
Melody Belle, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old filly by Diatonic (Jpn), a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and is due to foal to Growing Empire late this month.
Looking Back
Stitzer (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}) - Battled into fourth position on the Kensington, he is improving with racing and looks like he will appreciate even further.
Movie Star (Maurice {Jpn}) - Ran an honest fourth on the Kensington, making good ground late in a strong field.
Jacaranda (Home Affairs) - Was a good third at Sandown, she is getting close to another win.
