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 a promising St Mark's Basilica (Fr) gelding makes his debut at Taupo, while a regally bred Pinatubo (Ire) filly chases Group 3 success down the straight at Flemington.
Taupo, Race 3, 2.21pm AEDT (4.21pm local), Remembering David Trewavas (Life Member and Taupo Mayor) Maiden 3YO, NZ$18,500, 1200m
Mark Him Down, 3-year-old gelding (St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) x Joy Forever {High Chaparral {Ire}})
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Mark Him Down (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) makes his debut at Taupo on Thursday over 1200 metres.
The promising gelding by the in-form St Mark's Basilica (Fr) has looked talented at the trials in recent times and looks a good chance on debut, although Opie Bosson will have to ride a clever race around the tight Taupo circuit from a wide barrier.
Mark Him Down as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Mark Him Down is the last foal out of the High Chaparral (Ire) mare Joy Forever who was a winner over 1500 metres. She has only left two foals to race but one of them is Unbridled Joy (Snitzel) who was a winner as a 2-year-old and also stakes placed twice.
Joy Forever is from the extended family of the G1 Stradbroke winner and sire Thorn Park and the three-time Group 1 winner Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre {USA}).
Mark Him Down was purchased by David Ellis (BAFNZ) for $75,000 from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Flemington, Race 7, 4.30pm AEDT, G3 Crown Red Roses Stakes, $300,000, 1100m
Sequinned, 3-year-old filly (Pinatubo (Ire) x Dazzler {More Than Ready {USA})
The exciting Godolphin-bred and raced Sequinned (Pinatubo {Ire}) chases career win four at only start number seven for Chris Waller at Flemington on Thursday. But importantly chases her first bit of black type which she looks well capable of achieving in this Group 3 event down the straight for the 3-year-old fillies.
Sequinned is one of seven winners out of the dual juvenile winner Dazzler (More Than Ready {USA}). Among those winners is the outstanding three-time Group 1 winner and exciting sire Bivouac and the dual Listed winner Coruscate (Exceed And Excel).
Pinatubo (Ire) | Standing at Darley
Dazzler is also a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Guelph (Exceed And Excel), the dam of the Group winners Amanate (Lonhro) and Encryption, and also to Ghibbelines, who was a Group 2 winner on the track and a successful sire in New Zealand.
Sequinned's second dam Camarilla (Elusive Quality {USA}) and third dam Camarena (NZ) (Danehill {USA}) were also Group 1 winners on the track and both successful broodmares.
Since producing Sequinned, Dazzler has produced a 2-year-old filly by Anamoe named Tucana, a yearling filly by Cylinder and was left empty last season.
Looking Back
Noverre Belle (NZ) - Was an impressive winner at Hawera after missing the jump clearly, she looks a promising filly.
Lonnegan (Sword Of State) - Was scratched, he will keep for another day.
