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 3-year-olds by Wild Ruler, Cool Aza Beel (NZ) and Wootton Bassett (GB) chase maiden success across Australasia.
Canterbury, Race 2, 2.10pm AEST, Schweppes 3YO Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1250m
Saffron Veil, 3-year-old filly (Wild Ruler x Cappadocia {Northern Meteor})
The Chris Waller-trained Saffron Veil (Wild Ruler) chases maiden success at start number three on Wednesday at Canterbury.
She has placed second in both of her career starts at Warwick Farm behind the smart types Blessed Eagle (Farnan) and Sequinned (Pinatubo {Ire}) and off that form she looks a very good chance to break through and claim maiden success.
Saffron Veil is out of the dual winner and Listed-placed Cappadocia (Northern Meteor), who has already left the G1 Randwick Guineas winner Communist (Russian Revolution) along her three winners.
Saffron Veil as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Cappadocia is also a half-sister to the Group 1 winning sprinter Zip Zip Away (Bellotto {USA}) and the Listed winner and Group 1-placed Zipanese (Bellotto {USA}). She is also a half-sister to the dams of the stakes winners Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice) and Hostwin Saturn (Stratum).
Cappadocia in recent times has produced a 2-year-old gelding by Russian Revolution and is due to foal to Toronado (Ire) this spring.
Saffron Veil was purchased for $350,000 by Rising Sun Syndicate and Healthy Wood Co from The Chase draft at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Doomben, Race 3, 2.28pm, AEST, XXXX GOLD QTIS 3YO Maiden Plate, $30,000, 1000m
Bodmin Moor, 3-year-old gelding (Cool Aza Beel (NZ) x The Cornish (NZ) {Pins})
The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Bodmin Moor (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) chases maiden success at start number three at Doomben on Wednesday. The promising gelding ran two solid fourths as a 2-year-old at Eagle Farm and Doomben in his first preparation, and after a break and a couple of trials he looks a great chance in this event, although Martin Harley will have to weave some magic from a wide barrier.
Bodmin Moor is the second foal out of the Pins mare The Cornish (NZ) who was a two-time winner over 1400 metres and 1600 metres.
Cool Aza Beel (NZ) | Standing at Newhaven Park
Bodmin Moor’s grandam Monte Karlo (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}) was unraced, but is a three-quarter-sister to the Listed-winner and dual Group 1-placed stayer and stallion Gorky Park (NZ), a half-sister to Galroof (NZ) (Maroof {USA}) who was a Group 3-winner and dual Group 1-placed and is the dam of the Group 3-winner and dual Group 1-placed Sabrage (Charge Forward) and the Listed winner and dual Group 1-placed Pinnacles (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}).
This is also the extended family of the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner and successful broodmare in Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock).
The Cornish in recent times has left a 2-year-old colt by Cool Aza Beel (NZ), a yearling colt by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) and is due to foal to Cool Aza Beel this month.
Matamata, Race 1, 10.35am AEST (12.35pm local), Waharoa Transport Company (1995) Ltd 3YO Maiden, NZ$18,500, 1400m
Coniston (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Le Gai Soleil (NZ) {Tavistock {NZ}})
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 3-year-old colt Coniston (NZ) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) makes his second start at Matamata on Wednesday.
The well-bred colt ran seventh on debut at Te Rapa late last month but it was a very good run, where he finished very strongly from back in the field against the race pattern.
Coniston is the first foal out of the seven-time winner Le Gai Soleil (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), her best win was in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap.
Wootton Bassett (GB) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Le Gai Soleil is very well-bred being a three-quarter-sister to the Group 3 winner Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who sold for $350,000 at this year's Inglis Chairman’s Sale and a half-sister to the dual Group 1-winner Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
This is also the extended family of the three-time Group 1-winner Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel).
Le Gai Soleil, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old colt by Proisir, a yearling filly by Super Seth, and is due to foal again to Super Seth this month.
Looking Back
Yamashita (Tiger Of Malay) - Won narrowly but impressively at Moruya.
Hell's Diamond (Hellbent) - Ran a solid enough third at Wodonga, another win looks close.
