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, a trio of runners at Seymour will bid for victory. A juvenile Group performer is bigger and better at three, a Circus Maximus (Ire) gelding is ready to reward his connections' patience, and a well-bred colt bids to win two in a row.
bet365 Seymour, Race 2, 1.00pm AEDT, Go Seymour Go Nagambie 3YO Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1200m
Carnevale, 3-year-old colt (Pinatubo (Ire) x Fiesta {I Am Invincible})
Lindsay Park-trained Carnevale (Pinatubo {Ire}) will make his first start as a 3-year-old over the 1200-metre trip, having debuted in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate last year, where he finished fourth. After not coming up in the autumn, the Hayes boys have given him the time to develop and he resumes off a couple of sharp jump-outs, having finished second in the most recent one.
Carnevale is the first foal out of multiple Group winner Fiesta (I Am Invincible), whose victories include the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes, G3 Begonia Belle Staks, G3 Widden Stakes, and the G3 Northwood Plume Stakes.
Carnevale as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This family traces to the dam of G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (c&g) winner Charm Scene Land (Brocco {USA}) and dual Listed winner Kingsgate (Danzero), who was twice second in the G1 Epsom Handicap.
Lindsay Park Racing paid $700,000 for Carnevale when offered by Rosemont Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and when they offered his Dundeel (NZ) half-brother at this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Jamie Mccalmont signed the cheque on behalf of Tom Magnier for a value of $1.3 million.
Fiesta has a Wootton Bassett (GB) filly to sell in 2027, and delivered a Dundeel filly this spring.
bet365 Seymour, Race 3, 1.30pm AEDT, Tahbilk 4YO & Up Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Quemax (NZ), 4-year-old gelding (Circus Maximus (Ire) x On the Que Tee {Sebring})
Danny O'Brien and the connections of Quemax (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) have been patiently waiting to get the 4-year-old to the races, and after a smart second at the jump-outs behind stakes-performed Tomato Toastie (Too Darn Hot {GB}), he is finally ready to fire. Craig Williams is engaged to lead the gelding to his maiden win.
Quemax is bidding to be the sixth runner and sixth winner for On The Que Tee (Sebring), and all of her current winners have struck at least three times. A triple winner herself, On The Que Tee is a half to four-time stakes winner Royal Discretion (Royal Academy {USA}) and Listed St Albans Stakes winner Roulettes (Flying Spur), dam of Sun City and Listed-wining Parlophone (I Am Invincible).
Quemax (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Another half-sister Tactfully (Flying Spur) was Group performed and has produced Listed winner and Group performer Vezalay (Shamardal {USA}), as well as producing the dam of South African three-time Listed winner Sir Frenchie (Choisir).
O'Brien paid NZ$60,000 for Quemax at the New Zealand National Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Windsor Park Stud.
On The Que Tee has a 2-year-old filly by Profondo and a yearling colt by War Decree (USA) next to come.
bet365 Seymour, Race 4, 2.00pm AEDT, Godolphin Internship Program BM66 Handicap, $35,000, 2000m
Jean Georges (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Noverre (NZ) x Bonneval (NZ) {Makfi {GB}})
Chris Waller prepares a blueblooded son of Noverre (NZ) to score a second victory after winning over 2050 metres at Moe in September. Jean Georges (NZ) also has Craig Williams in the saddle, and considering the one and a half-length finish he achieved last start, he is on song to claim another.
A homebred for Waikato Stud, Jean Georges is out of New Zealand Horse Of The year Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), whose three Group 1s include the G1 Australian Oaks and G1 New Zealand Oaks.
Noverre (NZ) | Standing at Waikato Stud
Bonneval is one of six stakes winners from blue hen Imposingly (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) - five of whom won at Group level. Amongst her siblings are G3 Belle of the Turf Stakes winner Imposing Lass (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and G3 Manawatu Classic winner Lady Cumquat (NZ) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), both of whom have produced stakes performers themselves.
Listed Great Easter Stakes winner Betty Spaghetti (Stratum Star) is the granddaughter of another sister.
Bonneval has a 2-year-old filly named Bonte (NZ) (Super Seth) to run and visited the same sire again in 2025.
Looking Back
Graffiti Tycoon (Written Tycoon) - Got his well deserved victory at Kembla Grange.
Don Giuseppe (NZ) (Ardrossan) - Made a brave effort to finish third at Hasting.
Venus Invicta (Capitalist) - Has her connections dreaming of the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic after a sharp win at Eagle Farm.
