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 Sunday, we look to two maiden geldings at Bendigo hoping to shed the tag.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1.30pm AEST, Solar1 Electrical Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1500m
Gilgeous, 3-year-old gelding (Farnan x Safeeya {Fastnet Rock})
Gilgeous (Farnan) is hoping it will be third time lucky after a second placing at Bendigo in September, having debuted with a fourth at Echuca the month before. He wasn't beaten far last time over the 1500-metre trip, having either led or run second the entire way, so there is plenty of promise to say that he can stick it out this time around and get his nose in front.
Gilgeous is the first foal of four-time winner Safeeya (Fastnet Rock), whose dam Star On High (USA) (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) is a half-sister to European Champion 3YO Filly and four-time Group 1 winner Peeping Fawn (USA) (Danehill {USA}) and G1 Critérium International winner Thewayyouare (USA).
Gilgeous as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Peeping Fawn was a prolific producer, with her daughters including the Listed winners Willow (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) and September (USA) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the latter of whom was also third in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Another daughter, Purely Priceless (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has produced five stakes horses headed by this year's G3 Jannah Rose Stakes winner Rebel Moon (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Gilgeous' trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young purchased him for just $15,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Segenhoe Stud.
Safeeya has a 2-year-old filly by Dundeel (NZ), who sold to Bennett Racing for $70,000 at the same venue, and a yearling by King Colorado. She was served by Shamexpress (NZ) in 2025.
Bendigo, Race 3, 2.35pm AEST, Sheahan Plumbing 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Volestain, 3-year-old gelding (Zousain x Loveitt {Sebring})
Running for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Volestain (Zousain) looks to kick off his 3-year-old season after a midfield debut in the autumn as 2-year-old. He has been polished with two jump-outs, finishing third in the most recent one over 800 metres. A return to the 1300-metre or greater trip looks to suit, and he draws just to the outside of a capacity field, which should help him get out on a wet track.
Volestain as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Volestain is the last foal out of Loveitt (Sebring), a dual winner who finished fourth in the G3 Vo Rogue Plate. She is a well-related mare herself, being a full sister to G3 Tesio Stakes winner Shoko and a half-sister to multiple Group winner Mimi Lebrock (Show A Heart) and G3 Grand Prix Stakes winner Heavenly Thought (So You Think {NZ}).
Mimi Lebrock is the star of the page, having produced Group 3-winning sire Barbaric and G3 Gimcrack Stakes runner-up Diddles (Snitzel), plus the dam of Listed Wellesley Stakes winner and multiple Group performer To Cap It All (Capitalist).
McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) paid $150,000 for Volestain when he was offered by Riversdale Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Ankaa (Anamoe) - Ran on well to finish fourth in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial.
Nonu (NZ) (Anamoe) - A great debut to finish third in the G3 Breeders' Plate.
Shraddha (Ole Kirk) - Got her career off to a great start with a win in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes.
