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.
On Wednesday at Newcastle a well-bred I Am Invincible gelding chases deserved maiden success, while very promising 3-year-olds by Noverre (NZ) and Frankel (GB) go head-to-head.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.35pm AEST, Rarity Wholesale CG&E Maiden Handicap, $50,000, 1400m
Federalist, 4-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Arcadia Queen {Pierro})
The Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained Federalist (I Am Invincible) will make his resuming run over 1400 metres at Newcastle on Friday. He very much deserves maiden success having placed in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes and running fourth in the Listed Dulcify Stakes and having run at Group 1-level creditably several times.
The very well-bred gelding is the first foal from the Pierro mare Arcadia Queen, who was a three-time Group 1 winner on the track and comes from an outstanding family with Group winners featuring close-up such as Arcadia Dream (Donesday), Arcadia Prince (Pierro), Action (Pierro), Broadway Belle (Redoute’s Choice), Regal Power (Pierro), and Antique Miss (Domesday).
Federalist as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
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 Federalist, she has produced an I Am Invincible 3-year-old colt named I Am Dynasty, a yearling colt by Dundeel (NZ), and she is due to foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) this spring.
Federalist was a $1 million purchase by Hawkes Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Newcastle, Race 3, 2.10pm AEST, Prosperity Advisers F&M Maiden Handicap, $50,000, 1400m
Waiheke Rose (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Noverre (NZ) x Maxmara {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Waiheke Rose (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) looks a great chance at Newcastle on Friday over 1400 metres.
After trialling very well, she ran a strong second behind the promising Sing Your Song (Snitzel) at Warwick Farm last time out, and with natural improvement she should be very competitive in the hands of Tim Clark.
Waiheke Rose is out of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Maxmara (NZ), she has already left four winners, including the four-time Hong Kong winning sprinter Dublin Star (NZ) (Savabeel).
Waiheke Rose as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Maxmara has a strong pedigree being a full-sister to the Listed-winner Salsa (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) , and a half-sister to the Group 3-winner Somepin Anypin (NZ) (Pins) and the Listed-winner and Group 1-placed Rule Of Engagement (NZ) - Evergreen (H.K.) (Danasinga).
Since producing Waiheke Rose, Maxmara has left a 2-year-old filly by Noverre (NZ) who was purchased by Brooks Farm Ltd for NZ$55,000 from the Waikato Stud draft at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Waiheke Rose was purchased by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for NZ$160,000 from the Waikato Stud draft at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Newcastle, Race 3, 2.10pm AEST, Prosperity Advisers F&M Maiden Handicap, $50,000, 1400m
Satin Serenade, 3-year-old filly (Frankel (GB) x Satin Ribbons {Capitalist})
The very promising Chris Waller-trained Satin Serenade (Frankel {GB}) lines up at Newcastle on Friday chasing maiden success at start number three over 1400 metres.
She has ran two solid seconds at both of her two career starts so far, and while she may appreciate a little further in time, she looks a good chance in a very competitive affair.
Frankel (GB) | Standing at Juddmonte
Satin Serenade was bred and raced by Mrs Belinda Bateman. She is by Frankel (GB) and is the first foal out of the three-time winner Satin Ribbons (Capitalist).
Satin Ribbons is a half-sister to the Listed winner Satin Slipper (Pierro), who is the dam of the Listed winner and G1 Colmore Stud Stakes-placed I Am Unstoppable. Her grandam Satin Shoes (Flying Spur) was classy winning the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes and another two Listed events.
Satin Ribbons in recent times has left an Extreme Choice 2-year-old filly and was due to foal to Home Affairs late last month.
Looking Back
Blue Meteor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) - Ran an honest fourth on the Illawarra Grange circuit.
I Am Dynasty (I Am Invincible) - Made a very promising debut when finishing second on the Illawarra Grange circuit.
