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.
Three promising 3-year-olds by Noverre (NZ), Maurice (Jpn) and Written Tycoon chase maiden success across Australasia on Wednesday.
Te Aroha, Race 6, 1.34pm AEDT (3.34pm local), Donaghys Pro Dairy 3YO Maiden, NZ$18,500, 1150m
Withallmywish (NZ) 3-year-old filly (Noverre x Fastellie (NZ) {Per Incanto {USA}})
The in-form Jenna Mahoney saddles up the Noverre (NZ) 3-year-old filly Withallmywish (NZ) to make her debut at Te Aroha on Wednesday afternoon over 1150 metres. She has looked quite sharp at the trials and last time ran out and ran second to the promising Kumara Straight (Hellbent) who stamped the form when winning impressively on debut at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Noverre (NZ) | Standing at Waikato Stud
Withallmywish is out of the dual winning Per Incanto (USA) mare Fastellie (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), who is a half-sister to the four-time winner and Group 3-placed sprinter Molto Veloce (NZ) (Pins).
This is also the extended classy Waikato Stud family that produced the Group 1 winners Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Espiona (Extreme Choice).
In recent times Fastellie has produced a Circus Maximus (Ire) 2-year-old colt and is due to foal to Shamexpress (NZ) this spring.
Geelong, Race 5, 3pm AEDT, Roderick Insurance Brokers Listed 3YO Geelong Classic, $200,000, 2200m
Murshidi, 3-year-old gelding (Maurice (Jpn) x Daleelaty {Lonhro})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Murshidi (Maurice {Jpn}) chases maiden success in the Listed Geelong Classic over 2200 metres at Geelong on Wednesday afternoon.
The promising gelding is still a maiden but he has placed in his last two starts and he looks like a staying trip is going to be right up his alley.
Murshidi as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Murshidi is the first foal out of the Lonhro mare Daleelaty who was a winner over 1400 metres. His grandam Reemah (Redoute’s Choice) was a winner over 1200 metres and was placed in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, and his great grandam Vormista (Testa Rossa) was a Group 2 winner and multiple times Group 1-placed.
Daleelaty in recent times has left a 2-year-old colt by Maurice (Jpn) and a yearling colt by Toronado (Ire).
Murshidi was passed in short of his $250,000 reserve at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 2.15pm AEDT, TAB Maiden Plate, $100,000, 1300m
Horologist, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x In Her Time {Time Thief})
The Chris Waller-trained Horologist (Written Tycoon) chases maiden success at start number three at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, on the back of running two very good placings at the back-end of his 2-year-old season.
He has since had a break and ran second at the trials twice to prepare himself for his resuming run where he will be ridden by James McDonald.
Horologist as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Horologist is the third foal from the super talented Time Thief filly In Her Time who won just over $3.7 million on the track including the G1 Lightning Stakes, G2 Breeders Classic, G2 Millie Fox Stakes and the Listed Sydney Stakes.
After her outstanding racing career, In Her Time sold at the 2021 Inglis Chairman’s Sale fetching $2.2 million to the bid of Yulong Investments Australia. In Her Time over the last few seasons has produced a 2-year-old filly by Yulong Stud’s young-sire Diatonic (Jpn), a yearling Pierata colt and earlier this month she foaled a First Settler colt.
Further back in the family features the Coolmore young stallion and The Everest victor in Yes Yes Yes and the stakes-winners Hot As Hell (County), Harlem River (Fastnet Rock), Flaming Hot (County), Craig’s Dragon (Catbird) and Lempicka (Rich Enuff).
Horologist sold for $1,800,000 at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with Tom Magnier being the successful purchaser from the draft of Yulong.
Looking Back
Better By Far (Farnan) - Ran an honest second at Kyneton, a winning turn looks close.
Merry Chase (Toronado {Ire}) - Was a dominant winner at Kyneton on debut by just over three lengths.
