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 Farnan and Too Darn Hot (GB) are chasing maiden success at Bairnsdale and Bendigo respectively on Sunday.
Bet365 Bairnsdale, Race 2, 2.12pm AEST, Lakes Diesel Sales & Service Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1000m
Nishioka, 3-year-old filly (Farnan x Queen Sweeper {Rich Enuff})
The Robbie Griffiths-trained Nishioka (Farnan) makes her debut at Bairnsdale on Saturday over 1000 metres. The Farnan filly has looked sharp at the jump-outs recently winning at Moe over 1000 metres earlier this month.
Nishioka is the first foal out of the three-time winner Queen Sweeper (Rich Enuff), who is a half-sister to the smart Show A Heart siblings Banda Spice and Orient Line who won 13 races between them and were both Listed-placed.
Nishioka as a yearling | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Nishioka’s grandam Zilzie (NZ) (Generous {Ire}) won the G3 Rotorua Challenge Plate and the G3 Taranaki Cup on the track.
This is also the extended family of the smart G2 Bill Stutt Stakes winner The Holy One (NZ) (Tavistock) and the Group 3-winner Millbank (NZ) (Keeper).
Queen Sweeper in recent times has left a 2-year-old colt by Wild Ruler, a yearling colt by Exceedance and is due to foal to State Of Rest (Ire) next month.
Nishioka was purchased for $200,000 by Griffiths Racing and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) from the Glenlogan Park draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bendigo, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Ladbrokes Mega Multi 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1500m
Passio, 3-year-old gelding (Too Darn Hot (GB) x Sultry Tessa {Testa Rossa})
The exciting Passio (Too Darn Hot {GB}) chases maiden success at start number three at Bendigo on Sunday for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
He ran a solid second on debut at Sale behind the promising Cignetti (NZ) (Super Seth) over 1400 metres, then ran second again at Mornington behind Iamabadguy (Russian Camelot {Ire}) and looks a great chance to go one better on Sunday, again in the hands of Thomas Stockdale.
Passio as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Passio is out of the dual-winner Sultry Testa (Testa Rossa), who is a half-sister to Smart ‘N’ Sexy (Smart Missile) who was the winner of the Listed Dalrello Stakes in Queensland.
This is also the extended family of the Group-winners Cannonball (Capitalist), Marine One (Capitalist) and Eureka Jewel (Semipalatinsk {USA}).
Sultry Testa in recent times has left a 2-year-old filly by Spirit Of Boom and has missed to the same stallion the last two seasons.
Passio was purchased for $180,000 by MG Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd from the Eureka Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Shore Breeze (Too Darn Hot {GB}) - Ran an unlucky third on debut at Ellerslie, she looks a filly of above average ability.
Global Goal (Pinatubo {Ire}) - Ran a fast-finishing third in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes, it was a great rehearsal for the G1 Flight Stakes over the mile distance in a few weeks time.
Wolf Gap (Palace Pier {GB}) - Ran an honest fourth in the G2 Caulfield Guineas Prelude after making an early run .
