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 types by I Am Invincible and his son Hellbent chase maiden success at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, HRC Motel Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1100m
Water City, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Piping Hot {More Than Ready {USA}})
The beautifully bred Water City (I Am Invincible) chases maiden success at start number two at Hawkesbury on Tuesday. The I Am Invincible filly ran third on the same track on debut behind Revolina (Russian Revolution) who won at Listed level on Saturday. So the form has been franked.
Water City is out of the two-time winner Piping Hot (More Than Ready {USA}) who has already left the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Coolangatta (Written Tycoon).
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park
Piping Hot is also very well-related, being a half-sister to the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner and sire Reann and being out of the G2 Moonee Valley Oaks winner Ribe (Danehill {USA}).
Piping Hot in recent times has produced a 2-year-old named White House (Home Affairs), a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), and is due to foal to City Of Troy (USA) any day now.
Hawkesbury, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Let’s Talk Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1800m
Markos Port, 4-year-old gelding (Hellbent x Sweet Reply {Deep Field})
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Markos Port (Hellbent) chases deserved maiden success at Hawkesbury on Tuesday. The consistent gelding has placed in all three of his career starts, and the step up to 1800 metres looks ideal.
Markos Port is out of the smart filly Sweet Reply (Deep Field), who was a winner as a juvenile and placed in the G2 Sandown Guineas as a 3-year-old.
Markos Port as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sweet Reply is a half-sister to the Hong Kong Group 3 winner Conte (Starcraft {NZ}) and some other family members include the Group-winning half-sisters Bridal Waltz (Snitzel) and She Dances (Street Boss {USA}).
Sweet Reply in recent times has left a 3-year-old gelding named Rumour (Hellbent), a 2-year-old colt by Hellbent, a yearling colt by Pierata, and was due to foal to Hellbent this spring.
Markos Port was purchased for $100,000 by Redfox Racing from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Top Marks (NZ) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) - Finished well back at Trentham, he had no luck at all in running so it was very much a forgivable effort.
Castelli In Aria (NZ) (Castelvecchio) - Was scratched from her race, she will keep for another day.
