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.
It's Derby Day on Saturday and it could be a career defining moment for a well-bred Snitzel colt in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, while promising 3-year-olds by Sword Of State and Maurice (Jpn) chase maiden success across both sides of the Tasman.
Flemington, Race 6, 3.40pm AEDT, G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, $2,000,000, 1200m
St Gotthard, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Ms Bad Behavior (Can) {Blame {USA}})
The well-performed and credentialled St Gotthard (Snitzel) chases perhaps a career-defining Group 1 victory in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Saturday for his trainer Chris Waller. He will be trying to replicate his full-brother Switzerland who won the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes back in 2024.
St Gotthard has very strong form, he was unbeaten as a 2-year-old, including once at Group 3 level, and as a 3-year-old he has had two starts for two second placings, including running second to Warwoven (Sword Of State) in the G1 Golden Rose at his last start.
St Gotthard as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
St Gotthard’s dam Ms Bad Behaviour (Can) (Blame {USA}) was purchased for US$600,000 (AU$862,800) from the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale by Freyer Bloodstock and was imported to Australia.
St Gotthard himself was purchased for $2.7 million by Tom Magnier at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Arrowfield draft. Ms Bad Behaviour also has a Snitzel 2-year-old colt, a Snitzel yearling colt and foaled a colt by The Autumn Sun earlier this month.
Otaki, Race 2, 10.55am AEDT (12.55pm local), Aquashield Roofing 3YO, NZ$40,000, 1200m
Stylish (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Sword Of State x Chic (NZ) {Savabeel})
The Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-trained Chic (NZ) (Sword Of State) chases maiden success at start number two at Otaki on Saturday. She ran a solid fourth on debut at Taupo in what appears to be a strong form race behind the likes of Intan (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Thunder In Motion (NZ) (Per Incanto {NZ}) and Zaharias (NZ) (Super Seth).
Sword Of State | Standing at Cambridge Stud
Stylish is out of the five-time winning mare Chic (NZ) (Savabeel), who has already left the six-time winner and Group 3-placed Grid Girl (NZ) (Time Test {GB}).
Stylish comes from the extended family of the five-time Group 1 winner and successful stallion in Ocean Park (NZ), and the dual Group 1 winner and stallion Grunt (NZ).
Chic in recent times has produced a yearling colt by Ace High and was due to foal to Little Brose this spring.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.44pm AEDT, Huxley Hill C&G Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1300m
Landing Gear, 3-year-old gelding (Maurice (Jpn) x Smooth Landing {Snitzel})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Landing Gear (Maurice {Jpn}) chases maiden success at Newcastle on Saturday on the back of running a strong second at Hawkesbury on debut earlier this month behind Devil Wings (So You Think {NZ}).
The promising gelding is out of Smooth Landing (Snitzel) who was a winner over 1200 metres and who placed at Listed level in South Australia. She has left three winners at stud and going off his debut, Landing Gear should make it four at reasonably short notice.
Landing Gear as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Landing Gear comes from a strong extended family that includes the Group 1 winner Sky Cuddle (Snippets) and the Group winners Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt), Violate (Sebring), Sky Love (Octagonal {NZ}) and Fast Clip (Snippetson).
In recent years Smooth Landing has left a yearling colt by Hanseatic and unfortunately slipped to Traffic Warden last spring.
Landing Gear was purchased for $120,000 by Triple Crown Syndications from the North Bloodstock draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Endemic (Russian Revolution) - Ran a solid third at Pakenham, a win is getting close.
Shemesh (The Autumn Sun) - Was an impressive winner on debut at Pakenham.
