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.
A 2-year-old filly by Hello Youmzain (Fr) that has looked good at the trials makes her debut at Tauherenikau and a consistent Alabama Express 3-year-old filly chases maiden success at Ararat.
Tauherenikau, Race 2, 11.43am AEDT (1.43pm local), Waibuild 2YO, NZ$18,500, 1000m
Choosin Texas (NZ), 2-year-old filly (Hello Youmzain (Fr) x She’s A Showoff (NZ) {Showcasing {GB}})
The Roydon Bergerson-trained Choosin Texas (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) chases success on debut at Tauherenikau on Sunday over 1000 metres.
Choosin Texas is the first foal out of the dual winning Showcasing (GB) mare She’s A Showoff (NZ) and she looked good winning at the Foxton trials last month.
Hello Youmzain (NZ) | Standing at Cambridge Stud
She comes from a strong extended family that includes the Group 1 winner Iflooxcouldkill (NZ) (Daggers Drawn {USA}) and the Group 3 winning full brothers Madison Point (NZ) (Palace Music {USA}) and Dollars’N Gold (NZ) (Palace Music {USA}).
She’s A Showoff in recent times has left a yearling colt by Ocean Park (NZ) and was due to foal to Almanzor (Fr) this spring.
Choosin Texas was purchased by Chris Rutten Bloodstock (BAFNZ) for NZ$55,000 from the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Summer Sale.
Ararat, Race 5, 3.45pm AEDT, AME Systems Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1600m
Vulcana, 3-year-old filly (Alabama Express x Shezathinka {So You Think {NZ}})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Vulcana (Alabama Express) chases deserved maiden success at start number three after previously running second at Warrnambool and Ballarat at her last two and only career starts.
Vulcana is out of the two-time winner Shezathinka (So You Think {NZ}) who was also placed in the G2 Lowland Stakes over ground as a 3-year-old filly. She has a strong page being a half-sister to the Singapore Champion 3-year-old Coin Toss (Flying Artie) who was a three-time Listed winner in Australia and Singapore.
Vulcana as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is also the extended family of the Group 2 winners Markus Aurelius (NZ) (Ghibellines), Love You Lucy (Love Conquers All) and Spurn (Flying Spur).
Shezathinka in recent times has left a 2-year-old filly by Diatonic (Jpn), a yearling colt by Written Tycoon and foaled a First Settler colt last month.
Vulcana was purchased for $300,000 by Amy Feng from the Yulong draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Goddess Kay (Frankel {GB}) - Ran a very good second on debut behind a smart one, Public Affairs (Home Affairs) ran eighth in the same race.
Dragons Edge (NZ) (Sword Of State) - Scratched from her race, she will keep for another day.
