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 Thursday, the action heads to Illawarra Grange where another promising trio vie to score an all important victory. Two well-related colts receive the services of James McDonald to break their maidens, while a Kiwi filly goes in search of a win on debut.
Illawarra Grange, Race 2, 1.50pm AEST, West Illawarra, Your Next Stop Super Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1400m
Unhinged, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Tints {Tycoon Ruler})
Chris Waller-trained Unhinged (Snitzel) has been close with no cigar in four starts to date and is crying out for a breakthrough. His worst finish to date has been fourth behind Tenenbaum (Snitzel), subsequently fourth in Warwoven's (Sword Of State) G1 Golden Rose Stakes on the weekend, and he was beaten less than a length when second in a Kensington Super Maiden last time out. James McDonald takes the reins to steer him to victory.
Snitzel | Image courtesy of Arrowfield Stud
A homebred for YES Bloodstock, Unhinged is a half-brother to G1 Surround Stakes winner Hinged (Worthy Cause), who finished fourth or better in a further nine Group 1 contests. The winner of over $2 million, she was covered by Alabama Express for her first season in 2025, but unfortunately slipped.
Dam Tints (Tycoon Ruler) was no slouch herself, winning 12 races including the Roma Cup. She is a descendant of Listed Prix d'Aumale winner Pink Valley (USA) (Never Bend {USA}), with the closer family featuring the stakes performers I Am Gypsy (I Am Invincible), Pink Fit (Flying Spur), and Kelly Renee (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}).
Tints has a 2-year-old colt by Maurice (Jpn) and a yearling colt by Extreme Choice, and was not served last year.
Illawarra Grange, Race 3, 2.25pm AEST, Printing Wollongon F&M Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1200m
Hello Liz (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Hello Youmzain (Fr) x Queens Rose (NZ) {O'Reilly})
On debut for Annabel and Rob Archibald, Hello Liz (NZ) (Hello Youmzain (Fr) arrives at raceday off the back of two sharp trials. She won the most recent one by two thirds of a length and showed good speed on the home straight ahead of her debut.
Hello Liz is the fourth living foal of Queens Rose (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), whose eight wins are topped by the Listed Tauranga Classic. She is a half-sister to two-time G3 White Robe Lodge Stakes winner Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and to the dam of Listed Levin Stakes winner Rose 'N' Power (NZ) (Power {GB}).
Hello Liz as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Second dam Rosetti Bay (NZ) (Pins) was a Group 3 winner as well amongst her eight wins, plus she accrued a further five stakes placings.
Queens Rose mostly recently produced colts by Contributer (Ire) and Hello Youmzain (Fr), before receiving a year off last season.
Cambridge Stud purchased Hello Liz for NZ$150,000 from Landsdowne Park at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Illawarra Grange, Race 4, 3.05pm AEST, Go Hire The Event People CG&E Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1200m
Vatican, 3-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Egyptian Missile {Smart Missile})
Another promising runner for Chris Waller, Vatican (Wootton Bassett {GB}) bids to break through at his third start, after finding a Canterbury maiden too strong to kick off his prep - although finishing in third all the same. He was fifth in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery last season and has needed a little time to mature, but should find a cosy spot from barrier two to help this time out.
Vatican boasts a strong female family, with dam Egyptian Missile (Smart Missile) being a winning half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Egyptian Symbol (Stratum) and G3 Black Opal Stakes runner-up Cellsabeel (Hinchinbrook). Her half-brother Strathmore (Fastnet Rock) was a high flyer in Hong Kong, placing in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize en route to nearly HK$8 million (AU$1.4 million) in prize money.
Vatican as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Vatican's second dam is Champion Older Female Sprinter Our Egyptian Raine (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), who passed away earlier this year after several years in retirement at Cressfield. Another of her daughters has produced the G1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes runner-up Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata).
Egyptian Missile has a 2-year-old daughter by So You Think {NZ}) and a yearling colt by Home Affairs to follow. She unfortunately slipped in 2026.
Tom Magnier purchased Vatican for $1.2 million from Ridgmont's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft last year.
Looking Back
Low Key (Pinatubo {Ire}} - A strong winner at Rosehill who justified her favouritism.
Barracks (Home Affairs) - Never looked anything less than the winner and smartly delivered at Rosehill.
Aroused (Snitzel) - A dominant winner by three lengths at Ballarat and will be due a step up in grade next time.
