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.
Two promising 3-year-olds by Farnan and Toronado (Ire) chase maiden success at Kyneton on Tuesday afternoon.
Bet365 Park Kyneton, Race 2, 2.30pm AEDT, Woodside Park Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1118m
Better By Far, 3-year-old filly (Farnan x Better Reflection {Better Than Ready})
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Better By Far (Farnan) looks very hard to beat at Kyneton on Tuesday afternoon over 1118 metres.
The sharply bred filly has placed second in all three of her career starts so far in strong company and looks ready to break through in the hands of Jett Stanley.
Better By Far is out of the four-time winner Better Reflection (Better Than Ready) who was successful in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes as a 2-year-old. She is a half-sister to four other individual winners including the 2-year-old metropolitan winner Rattle The Tin (Freeze).
Better By Far as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
In recent times Better Reflection has left 2-year-old filly named Forever Maria (Russian Revolution), a yearling filly by Zousain and foaled a filly by Spirit of Boom in September.
Better By Far was purchased for $180,000 by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Daandine Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bet365 Park Kyneton, Race 3, 3pm AEDT, Hygain Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1218m
Merry Chase, 3-year-old colt (Toronado (Ire) x Kelvin Rose {Redoute’s Choice})
The Clinton McDonald-trained Merry Chase (Toronado {Ire}) makes his debut at Kyneton on Tuesday on the back of some solid jump-out form at Cranbourne in recent months.
Merry Chase is out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Kelvin Rose. She has so far left four foals to race which have all been winners, including the six-time winner Yarralea (Oratorio) and the five-time winner Over There (War Chant {USA}).
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Kelvin Rose is a half-sister to the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes winner Never Again (High Chaparral {Ire}) and comes from the extended family of the three-time Group 1 winner Regal Roller (Regal Classic {Can}).
In recent times Kelvin Rose has left a 2-year-old colt named Toolangi (Toronado {Ire}), a yearling colt by Toronado (Ire) and she is due to foal to Southport Tycoon next month.
Merry Chase was withdrawn from the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and is now raced by his breeder Mr B J Durran alongside Mrs J H Durran.
Looking Back
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Evensong (NZ) (Savabeel) - Ran a close-up third at Waverley without a lot of luck, a maiden win is not far away.
Best Terms (Maurice {Jpn}) - Ran an honest third at Horsham, he deserves a winning turn soon.
