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 types by Anamoe, Snitzel and Noverre (NZ) chase maiden success across Australia on Melbourne Cup day.
Flemington, Race 1, 10.45am AEDT, G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate, $240,000, 1000m
Amsterdam, 2-year-old colt (Anamoe x Secret Trail {Denman})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Amsterdam (Anamoe) makes his debut in the G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup Day.
He has run two nice placings at the Cranbourne jump-outs recently in the hands of his race day rider Mark Zahra and looks a great chance on debut in an even race.
Amsterdam as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Amsterdam is out of the Listed Bright Shadow Handicap winner Secret Trail (Denman), who has gone on to become a handy broodmare, leaving five winners including the $1.8 million earner and dual stakes-placed Spywire (Trapeze Artist) among her four winners.
This is also the family of the G1 Railway Handicap and G2 Shorts Handicap-winning sprinter Gold Trail (Hussonet {USA}).
In recent times, Secret Trail has produced a filly foal by Zoustar in September.
Amsterdam was purchased for $1.1 million by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Widden Stud draft at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 1.25pm AEDT, Snap Printing Wollongong CG&E Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1200m
War Banner, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Heatherley {Lonhro})
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained War Banner (Snitzel) chases maiden success on debut at Kembla Grange on Tuesday. He has looked very sharp at the trials, including winning his last three at Warwick Farm and Rosehill.
War Banner is out of the very quick sprinting mare Heatherley (Lonhro), she was successful six times up to 1100 metres, including at Group 2-level and Listed-level twice, she was also placed in the G1 Moir Stakes and the G1 Oakleigh Plate.
The late Snitzel | Image courtesy of Arrowfield Stud
At stud she has left three winners, including the G3 Canonbury Stakes winner and stallion Red Resistance.
This is also the family of the G1 Stradbroke handicap winner Linton (Galileo {Ire}), who was also successful at Group 2 level twice, Group 3 level twice and at Listed level.
Heatherley, in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old filly named Bonnie Rebel (Exceed And Excel), a yearling colt by Extreme Choice, and missed to Extreme Choice last spring.
Doomben, Race 6, 3.42pm AEDT (2.42pm local), Moreton Hire Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1350m
Xami (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Noverre (NZ) x Starvoia {Starcraft {NZ}})
The Chris Waller-trained Xami (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) makes her debut at Doomben on Tuesday over 1350 metres.
The well-bred Noverre (NZ) filly has shown good talent at the trials in Queensland and looks well-educated to make her debut.
Xami is out of the Listed-winning Starcraft (NZ) mare Starvoia, who has started her broodmare career in excellent fashion, leaving two winners, including the G1 Tarzino Trophy winner and G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes winner Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel).
Xami (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is also the extended family of the G1 South Australian Oaks winner Dowry (NZ) (Bahhare {USA}) and the Group 2 winner Fatal (NZ) (Bakharoff {USA}).
In recent times, Starvoia has produced a 2-year-old colt by Savabeel, a yearling filly by Noverre, and was due to foal to Super Seth this spring.
Xami was purchased for $410,000 by Shailer Racing, Magic Bloodstock and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Waikato Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Adakite (Pierro) - Scratched from her race on Sunday, she instead took her place in the G2 Wakeful Stakes, where she disappointed.
Oceans Blue (Bivouac) - The well-bred filly was a dominant maiden winner at Mornington.
