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 consistent types by Toronado (Ire) and Pinatubo (Ire) chase maiden success at Seymour on Thursday.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 2, 3.30pm AEDT, Seymour Club Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1000m
Gattino Veloce, 4-year-old mare (Toronado (Ire) x Speedy Kitty {Exceed And Excel})
The Grahame Begg-trained Gattino Veloce (Toronado {Ire}) chases maiden success at Seymour on Friday over 1000 metres. The consistent mare has placed twice in her career so far but has been right around the mark in all of her runs.
She has prepared for her resuming run with a couple of placings at the Cranbourne jump-outs and looks a good chance in the hands of Jordan Childs.
Gattino Veloce as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Gattino Veloce is out of the unplaced Exceed And Excel mare Speedy Kitty, who herself is out of the American Grade 3 and dual Listed winner Ashley’s Kitty (USA) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}). It is a page full of American stakes performers with the Group 1 winner and stallion Cupid (USA) (Tapit {USA}) featuring.
Speedy Kitty in recent times has produced a 2-year-old filly named Kitty Got Claws (Captivant) and she foaled a Captivant filly in September.
Gattino Veloce was purchased for $70,000 by Grahame Begg Racing and R Hughes from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 3, 4pm AEDT, Kelly’s Country Homes 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1411m
Carnevale, 3-year-old colt (Pinatubo (Ire) x Fiesta {I Am Invincible})
The well-bred Carnevale (Pinatubo {Ire}) lines up at Seymour on Thursday chasing maiden success at start number five. He has run some solid races for his trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, including placing at both of his runs this preparation as a 3-year-old.
Carnevale is from the first Australian crop of Pinatubo (Ire), the three-time Group 1 winner, and is the first foal out of Fiesta (I Am Invincible), she was a five-time winner of just under $1.6 million in prize money. Her most significant wins came in the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes, G3 Begonia Belle Stakes, G3 Widden Stakes, and the G3 Northwood Plume Stakes.
Carnevale as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Rosemont Stud purchased Fiesta for $1.35 million at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, and she got off to an excellent start for them, when Carnevale was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing for $700,000 from the Rosemont Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She then backed it up at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when her Dundeel (NZ) colt fetched $1.3 million to the bid of Jamie McCalmont For Tom Magnier, he has since been named World Service.
Fiesta, in recent times has produced a Wootton Bassett (GB) yearling filly and foaled a Dundeel colt in September.
Looking Back
Quarterback (NZ) (Super Seth) - Was an impressive winner at Warwick Farm. He deserved that win and should progress through the grades.
Miss Scandal (Home Affairs) - Was scratched from her race at Warwick Farm.
Water City (I Am Invincible) - Was also scratched from her race at Warwick Farm, the well-bred filly will keep for another day.
