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 promising 3-year-olds by Noverre (NZ) and Lucky Vega (Ire) chase maiden success across both sides of the Tasman on Sunday.
Rotorua, Race 1, 10.40am AEDT (12.40pm local), Together, We’re Ontrack Maiden, NZ$18,500, 1230m
Mayday (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Noverre (NZ) x Oceans Eight (NZ) {Ocean Park {NZ}})
The Tony Pike-trained Mayday (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) takes his place at Rotorua on Sunday in the hands of George Rooke.
The son of Noverre (NZ) had one run as a 2-year-old when running fifth at Ellerslie behind Summer Schemer (Dirty Work), but going by his narrow second at the Waipa trials late last month he has come back bigger and stronger as a 3-year-old.
Mayday (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Mayday is out of the placed Ocean Park (NZ) mare Oceans Eight (NZ), who herself is out of the dual Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Ruud Van Slaats (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}), and is in addition a half-sibling or sibling to three stakes placed gallopers in Savvan (NZ) (Savabeel), Oceans Fourteen (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Smashing (Pins).
Oceans Eight in recent times has produced 2-year-old and yearling fillies by Sword Of State and was due to foal to Armory (Ire) this spring.
Mayday was purchased for NZ$150,000 by Pike Racing from the Trelawney draft at the 2025 NZB National Yearling Sale
Wyong, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Agrana Fruit Australia Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1000m
Global Light, 3-year-old filly Lucky Vega (Ire) x Global Insight {Exceed And Excel})
The Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained Global Light (Lucky Vega {Ire}) makes her debut at Wyong on Sunday and she looks very hard to beat on the back of two trial wins at Rosehill.
The Lucky Vega (Ire) filly is out of the unraced Exceed And Excel mare Global Insight. The family is a little quiet in regards to black type up close, but Global Light’s grandam is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Veloce Vella (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
Lucky Vega (Ire) | Standing at Segenhoe Stud
Global Insight in recent times has produced a 2-year-old filly by Diatonic (Jpn), a yearling filly by Lucky Vega and foaled a Diatonic colt last month.
Global Light was offered for sale via the Inglis Digital May Sale in 2024 but was passed in short of her reserve.
Looking Back
Horologist (Written Tycoon) - Was very disappointing running seventh in the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle.
Lady Resolute (I Am Invincible) - Was very disappointing, only beating one home. She did race very greenly, so should be a quick improver.
Landing Gear (Maurice {Jpn}) - Was a dominant maiden winner on the Illawarra Grange circuit.
