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 Thursday exciting progeny by Zoustar and Exceed And Excel chase maiden success across Australia.
Gosford, Race 3, 2.25pm AEDT, Saddles Mount White 4YO&UP Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1100m
Rosie Rouge, 4-year-old mare (I Am Invincible x Madam Rouge {Zoustar})
The $1.7 million Magic Millions yearling graduate Rosie Rouge (I Am Invincible) resumes on Thursday at Gosford in the hands of Tim Clark.
She may have disappointed in her only career start back in February last year, but after a long break she has trialled sharply twice including winning her last one at Randwick over 1050 metres.
Rosie Rouge as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Rosie Rouge is out of the Group 2, 3 and Listed winner Madam Rouge (Zoustar), who was also placed at the elite Group 1 level in the Stradbroke Handicap.
Rosie Rouge’s grandam Cabernet (Al Maher) was also smart, winning the Listed Summoned Stakes on the track, while her third dam Golden Weekend (Nine Carat {USA}) was also a Listed winner.
Madam Rouge in recent times has left a 3-year-old gelding named Snitzel A’La Rouge (Snitzel), a 2-year-old filly named Miss Cami (Snitzel), a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and foaled a Too Darn Hot (GB) filly late last month.
Rosie Rouge was purchased for $1,700,000 by Jes Sikura, Hill 'n' Dale Farm, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Widden Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Mornington, Race 1, 3pm AEDT, Sportsbet Jockey Watch Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Deadly Force, 5-year-old gelding (Exceed And Excel x Circe {Medaglia D’Oro {USA}})
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Deadly Force (Exceed And Excel) chases maiden success at start number two at Mornington on Thursday.
The talented gelding ran a solid enough fifth on debut at Wangaratta back in June and since then he has had a break and a couple of Cranbourne jump-outs to prepare himself for this resuming run.
Exceed And Excel | Image courtesy of Danehill
Deadly Force is out of the unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Circe who has left two winners including the three-time winner and Group 3-placed Award Winner (Exceed And Excel).
Circe is a three-quarter-sister to the three-time Group 3 winner and stallion Nostradamus and to the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Pohutukawa (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
She is also a half-sister to three other stakes winners and is closely related to the dual Group 1 winner and stallion Star Witness.
Circe, in recent times, has left a 3-year-old filly named Maingirlfaith (Pariah) and a weanling by Super Seth, before she was served again by Super Seth last spring.
Deadly Force was withdrawn from both the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Withallmywish (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) - Ran a very nice third on debut at Te Aroha.
Murshidi (Maurice {Jpn}) - Was an impressive winner at Listed level at Geelong.
Horologist (Written Tycoon) - Was scratched from his race, he will keep for another day.
