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 well-bred types by Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and I Am Invincible chase maiden success on the Illawarra Grange on Thursday afternoon.
Illawarra Grange, Race 2, 2.15pm AEST, Wests Illawarra Provincial Maiden Handicap, $45,000, 1150m
Blue Meteor (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Satono Aladdin (Jpn) x Viva La Blues {Guillotine {NZ}})
The Satono Aladdin (Jpn) 3-year-old colt Blue Meteor (NZ) chases maiden success at start number three for his new trainer Matthew Vella on Thursday over 1150 metres.
He had two starts for Ciaron Maher last preparation, finishing third on debut at Pakenham behind Ladhar (Exceed And Excel) and after a break has had two trials with Vella in preparation for his resuming run.
Blue Meteor (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Blue Meteor is the second foal out of Viva La Blues (Guillotine {NZ}) who was a winner over 1400 metres in New Zealand. This is the extended family of the Champion 3-year-old filly Shamrocker (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) who was a dual Group 1 winner and her Group 1 Auckland Cup winning half-sister Rock Diva (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn).
Viva La Blues, in recent times, has left a yearling filly named Satono Blues (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) and is due to foal to Ace High this spring.
Blue Meteor was purchased for NZ$210,000 by RS Bloodstock, Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman from the Haunui Farm draft at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock national Yearling Sale.
Illawarra Grange, Race 3, 2.50pm AEST, Carlton Dry 3.5 Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1300m
I Am Dynasty, 3-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Arcadia Queen {Pierro})
The Brad Widdup-trained I Am Dynasty (I Am Invincible) makes his debut on the Illawarra Grange circuit on Thursday over 1300 metres.
The very well-bred gelding is the second foal from the Pierro mare Arcadia Queen, who was a three-time Group 1 winner on the track. She has already left the smart Federalist (I Am Invincible), who while he is still a maidener, has shown his talent running second in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes and fourth in the Listed Dulcify Stakes.
I Am Dynasty as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
I Am Dynasty comes from an outstanding family with Group winners featuring close-up such as Acadia Dream (Domesday), Arcadia Prince (Pierro), Action (Pierro), Broadway Belle (Redoute’s Choice), Regal Power (Pierro), and Antique Miss (Domesday).
Arcadia Queen was sold at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale fetching $3.2 million to the bid of the Arrowfield Stud. Since producing I Am Dynasty, she has produced a yearling colt by Dundeel (NZ), and she is due to foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) this spring.
I Am Dynasty was a $440,000 purchase by Mulberry Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Saffron Veil (Wild Ruler) - Gained a very much deserved win at Canterbury, she looks well-up to better quality races this spring.
Bodmin Moor (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) - Disappointed running eighth at Doomben.
Coniston (NZ) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - Won very nicely at Matamata, the well-bred colt looks well up to future stakes race targets ahead.
