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.
Spring racing simply gets hotter on Saturday, and beside the Group action are a trio seeking to score across three different tracks. A well-bred Written Tycoon gelding takes aim at Kembla Grange's Super Maiden, and exciting juveniles step out at Hastings and Eagle Farm.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 2.40pm AEDT, The Gong Ambassador Tommy Berry Super Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1300m
Graffiti Tycoon, 4-year-old gelding (Written Tycoon x Affairoftheheart (NZ) {Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}})
A combatant in no less than three Super Maidens last preparation, Graffiti Tycoon (Written Tycoon) is well placed to break through on his spring resumption - given he placed second in all three of his previous attempts. The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained gelding has never been beaten by anything more than a length and was beaten just a half-length at his last outing at Warwick Farm over the same trip.
Graffiti Tycoon as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Graffiti Tycoon is a half-brother to G1 New Zealand Derby winner Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) and six-time city winner Holstein (Snitzel). His dam Affairoftheheart (NZ) (Fusaichi Pegasus {NZ}) was a six-time winner herself and stakes-performed, but she is oveshadowed by her Champion Middle Distance Horse sister Soriano (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the G1 Zabeel Classic and G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes before producing stakes performers Signature Scent (Written Tycoon) and Alonso (Zoustar).
Another half relation is G3 Premier's Cup winner Kaiser Franz (NZ) (Savabeel). Their dam Call Me Lily (NZ) (Just A Dancer {NZ}) won the Listed Wagga Cup amongst eight wins and was multiple times a Group performer.
Go Racing and Blandford Bloodstock paid NZ$250,000 for Graffiti Tycoon at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Woburn Farm.
Affairoftheheart has a 2-year-old colt by Tagaloa still to run for her, and sadly lost a full brother to Graffiti Tycoon last year.
Hastings, Race 1, 12.05pm NZDT, Richmond Club Super Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1000m
Don Giuseppe (NZ), 2-year-old colt (Ardrossan x Ciccina (NZ) {Savabeel})
An 800-metre scamper for the juveniles opens the card at Hasting on Saturday, and Peter and Shaun McKay's Don Giuseppe (NZ) (Ardrossan) has earned the number one saddlecloth - statistically the more winsome saddlecloth number - for his debut. The colt won his most recent trial by an eye-catching five and a half lengths on a Heavy 10, so is clearly one to watch.
Don Giuseppe (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Don Giuseppe is the first live foal for four-time winner Ciccina (NZ) (Savabeel), a half-sister to Listed Wanganui Guineas runner-up O'Baby (NZ) (Ardrossan). Their dam Baby Shacks (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) is a full sister to G2 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Vigor (NZ) and multiple Group winner Joey Massino (NZ), as well as a half-sister to R. Listed Karaka Million winner Vincent Mangano (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}).
Baby Shacks's sisters have been fruitful producers; Diana Dors (NZ) (Savabeel) is the dam of eight-time winner and Listed Spring Classic victor Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel), while Dream Lass (NZ) (Dream Well {Fr}) has produced three stakes horses led by G2 Australia Stakes winner Sea Lord (Streey Cry {Ire}).
Peter and Kim McKay paid NZ$40,000 for Don Giuseppe when he was offered by Elsdon Park in Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Ciccina delivered another Ardrossan colt in 2025 before being covered a third time by the sire.
Eagle Farm, Race 1, 11.43am AEDT, BECOME A BRC MEMBER QTIS Two-Year-Old Plate, $85,000, 1000m
Venus Invicta, 2-year-old filly (Capitalist x Dream Of Venus {I Am Invincible})
The juveniles make their first appearance at Eagle Farm, and Kelly Schweida was evidently pleased with the decisive Doomben trial victory of Venus Invicta (Capitalist) - who featured in a recent Trial Report - as he sends her out to score on debut. Jockey Martin Harley sticks on from the trial and she draws favourably with barrier three in a field of seven at the time of writing.
Venus Invicta as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Venus Invicta is a daughter of Dream Of Venus (I Am Invincible), herself a winning daughter of R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Real Surreal (Real Saga), whose half-brother Benny’s Buttons (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) won the G3 Vo Rogue Plate.
Schweida purchased Venus Invicta at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $110,000 in January, where she was offered by Cressfield.
Dream Of Venus has a yearling colt by Bivouac to sell next year, and she delivered another colt by the sire in late August.
Looking Back
Cab Franc (NZ) (Frankel {GB}) - An honest third, but well beaten by the winner in Southside Racing's opener.
Ghana's Akan (Street Boss {USA}) - Beaten a long neck into second by Youmzaa (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}).
