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.
A beautifully bred Savabeel filly and a consistent Maurice (Jpn) gelding both chase maiden success on Sunday.
Waverley, Race 1, 10.15am AEDT (12.15pm local), Wanganui Motors 3YO Maiden, NZ$22,000, 1400m
Evensong (NZ) 3-year-old filly (Savabeel x Evens (NZ) {Pins})
The Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-trained Evensong (NZ) (Savabeel) chases maiden success at start number two at Waverley on Sunday after running a promising fifth on debut in a strong special maiden race at Hastings behind First Up (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
Savabeel | Image courtesy of Waikato Stud
The well-bred filly is out of the unraced and well-bred Pins mare Evens (NZ), she is a full-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner and Hong Kong Champion Middle Distance Horse in 2011-12 and 2012-13 in Ambitious Dragon (NZ) and the eight-time winner and Group 3-placed Packing Dragon (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})
This is also the family of the New Zealand Group winners Sky Mist (NZ) (Sky Chase {NZ}), Needuask (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit {USA}) and Pinmedown (NZ) (Pins).
Evens in recent times has produced a 2-year-old filly by Proisir and was due to foal to Shamexpress (NZ) this spring.
Horsham, Race 2, 2.10pm AEDT, Carlton Draught Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1400m
Best Terms, 4-year-old gelding (Maurice (Jpn) x Chicquita {Commands})
The Tony and Calivin McEvoy-trained 4-year-old gelding Best Terms (Maurice {Jpn}) chases maiden success at start number seven at Horsham on Sunday. The consistent gelding deserves to win a maiden having placed in five of his six career starts.
He has had a break since his last run and has prepared for his resuming run with two jump-out wins in recent times.
Best Terms as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Best Terms is the fourth foal out of Chicquita (Commands) who was a winner over 1100 metres on the track. She is out of Prisoner Of Love (Canny Lad), who was the winner of the G2 Tea Rose Stakes and the G3 Furious Stakes on the track.
Prisoner Of Love is very well-bred being a half-sister to three stakes winners and to the dam of the Group 1 winner and Windsor Park Stud stallion Vanbrugh.
In recent times, Chicquita has left a 2-year-old colt by Brazen Beau, a yearling filly by Brutal (NZ), and was due to foal to Shooting To Win this spring.
Best Terms was purchased for $80,000 by Devcich Bloodstock Ltd from the Shadowbrook Bloodstock draft at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale. He was then passed in short of his $120,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Ready2Race Sale.
Looking Back
Pin Up Sheila (Pinatubo {Ire}) - Was a brave second at Randwick with Saffron Veil (Wild Ruler) disappointing in seventh in the same race.
Vallice (Maurice {Jpn}) - Ran an honest second, narrowly going down.
