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 runners will bid to break through at Rosehill's Wednesday meeting after recent credible runs, while a Snitzel filly will seek her fortune on debut down at Ballarat.
Rosehill, Race 1, 1.50pm AEST, TAB Plate, $100,000, 1400m
Low Key, 3-year-old filly (Pinatubo (Ire) x Really Discreet {Helmet})
Carrying the Champion Thoroughbreds colours, Low Key (Pinatubo {Ire}) will attempt to make it third time lucky after narrowly missing out at Kensington earlier in the month, going down by a nose to Sunday Caulfield winner Threads (Snitzel). She debuted earlier in the year in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes and was sixth to the exciting Blue Door (Stay Inside), who just booked herself a slot in the G1 The Everest.
Low Key has the pedigree to succeed, being out of five-time winner Really Discreet (Helmet), a half-sister to G2 Edward Manifold Stakes and G3 Ethereal Stakes winner Too Darn Discreet (Too Darn Hot {GB}) out of G1 South Australian Oaks victress Maybe Discreet (Shamardal {USA}) - who also won the Edward Manifold.
Low Key as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This is, of course, the immediate family of Champion 2YO Filly Be Discreet (Euclase) and her grand producer full sister She's Discreet, whose granddaughter Serenely Discreet (Exceed And Excel) is a third Edward Manifold winner for the family.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Kestrel Thoroughbreds, and B Rogers purchased Low Key from Highgrove Stud for $280,000 at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Her Anamoe half-brother was offered at the same venue this year, knocked down to St Kilda Lodge and Woburn Farm for $180,000.
Really Discreet followed her Anamoe colt with a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), born on August 9.
Rosehill, Race 2, 2.25pm AEST, Cactus Imaging Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Barracks, 3-year-old colt (Home Affairs x Wild Rain {Manhattan Rain})
The well-bred Barracks (Home Affairs) featured in the juvenile racing in the late autumn, running into the impressive The Next Episode (Snitzel) in the Listed Dalrello Stakes where he finished fourth. He previously recorded two second placings in good provincial company and has been hardened by two trials ahead of his spring return.
A half-brother to multiple stakes performer Spring Lee (Zoustar), Barracks bids to be the fifth winner for eight-time winner Wild Rain (Manhattan Rain), who counts the G2 Ian McEwen Stakes and the G3 Sir John Monash Stakes amongst her four black-type victories.
Barracks as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Wild Rain's stakes-performed half-sister Flowerchild (Redoute's Choice) produced the eight-time winner and stakes placegetter Animate (Animal Kingdom {USA}) as well as Moonchild (Charge Forward), dam of G3 SAJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Ethereum Girl (Maurice {Jpn}) and Listed winner Dream Of The Moon (All Too Hard). Via Wild Rain's second dam, this family has also yielded Horse Of The Year Northerly (Serheed {USA}) and multiple Group 1 and feature winner Overpass (Vancouver).
Barracks was a $420,000 purchase Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from Cressfield's draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year. At the same venue this year, Bennett Racing outlaid $460,000 for his half-brother by Zoustar.
Wild Rain foaled a filly full sister to Barracks on September 11.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 1, 1.25pm AEST, Brandt 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1000m
Aroused, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Sexy Eyes {Written Tycoon})
Grahame Begg will debut 3-year-old Aroused (Snitzel) in the familiar colours of Fairway Thoroughbreds on Wednesday, and she heads into the race well educated with four public jump-outs under her belt. She won the last two in smart fashion and Jordan Childs, who has partnered her in all four events, continues his association on raceday.
A half-sister to city winners Northern Eyes (Zoustar) and You Sexy Thing (Farnan), Aroused is a daughter of G3 Belle of the Turf Handicap winner Sexy Eyes (Written Tycoon), whose half-sister Tina Melina (Jet Spur) won the Listed Nudgee Handicap.
Aroused as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Another half-sister Innishbeg (Lonhro) produced the G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Aspect (Pluck {USA}) and dual Listed winner Brown Ben (Big Brown {USA}).
Since producing Aroused, Sexy Eyes has foaled a yearling colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) and was served by Switzerland in 2025.
James Harron Bloodstock signed the docket for $700,000 for Aroused at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Milburn Creek.
Looking Back
Bordeaux (Brazen Beau) - Disappointed when finishing seventh by over 10 lengths.
I Am Algadon (I Am Immortal) - Never in doubt and came home a stylish winner by a length and a quarter.
