Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Wednesday. A Brazen Beau 2-year-old filly chases maiden success at Riccarton and Bendigo is the venue for a Hello Youmzain (Fr) 2-year-old colt to have his second start and an Alabama Express filly chases a deserved maiden victory.
Riccarton, Race 2, 12.17pm AEDT (2.17pm local), Speights Premier 2YO, NZ$65,000, 1000m
Miss Ziggy (NZ), 2-year-old filly (Brazen Beau x Zigwig {NZ} {Zacinto {GB}})
The well-bred Miss Ziggy (NZ) is set to make her second start over 1000 metres for trainer Andrew Carston on her home track at Riccarton on Wednesday. On debut she ran very well on the same track for third when she was only beaten narrowly by her race rival Roc ‘N’ Ready (NZ) (El Roca) on October 26. The improved track conditions should also be of assistance on Wednesday.
Miss Ziggy is by Darley Stud’s stallion in Brazen Beau and is the fourth foal from Zigwig (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}). She was handy on the track winning three times from 1200 metres to 2100 metres and she managed a placing in the Listed Champagne S. She has started her broodmare career well leaving the winners Super Six (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) and O’Ziggy (NZ) (Ace High).
Miss Ziggy (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Some other stakes winners that feature within this solid pedigree are Chance Bye (Snitzel), Princess Katie (Bianconi {USA}), High Rolling (Snippets), Mighty Lucky (Casino Prince) and Augment (Exceed And Excel).
Zigwig since producing Miss Ziggy has not left a foal but was due to foal to Harry Angel (Ire) last month.
Miss Ziggy was purchased for NZ$250,000 by Mr AJ Carston Racing from the draft of Inglewood Stud at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 1, 1pm AEDT, Avis Bendigo 2YO H., $37,500, 1000m
Hello Romeo (NZ), 2-year-old colt (Hello Youmzain {Fr} x Julieta {NZ} {Shooting To Win})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Hello Youmzain (Fr) colt Hello Romeo (NZ) will have his second start at Bendigo on Wednesday over 1000 metres. He ran a great race on debut on the same track when running second over 1000 metres behind Leave No Doubt (Doubtland) on October 19.
This promising colt is from the first New Zealand-bred crop of the shuttling stallion Hello Youmzain, he has made a promising start from his base in France leaving the Group-winning 2-year-old colts Misunderstood (Fr) and Electrolyte (Ire) from his first crop.
He is the first foal out of the Shooting To Win mare Julieta (NZ) who was unraced. She is well-related being a half-sister to the outstanding and tough galloper Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) who was successful nine times in New Zealand and Australia including tasting success in the G1 Australian Cup, G1 Makybe Diva S. and the G1 Memsie S. He also famously ran a narrow second to the Champion Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 WS Cox Plate.
Hello Romeo (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
He has some lovely pedigree influences throughout with a nice combination of speed and staying stallions including Kodiac (GB), Zabeel (NZ), Sadler’s Wells (USA), Shamardal (USA), Encosta De Lago, Elusive Quality (USA), Green Desert (USA) and Northern Meteor.
Julieta has since left a yearling colt by Hello Youmzain and was due to foal to the same sire again earlier this month.
Hello Romeo was a NZ$150,000 purchase by Lindsay Park Racing from the draft of Hallmark Stud at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 2, 1.35pm AEDT, Bendigo Mazda 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Eagle Express, 3-year-old filly (Alabama Express x Crowned Eagle {Tavistock} {NZ})
The Chris Waller-trained Eagle Express will make her third start over 1100 metres at Bendigo on Wednesday. On debut she ran an unlucky third at Ballarat on May 26 over 1100 metres behind Glorioso (Epaulette). After a break she jumped out twice and then ran another unlucky third at Benalla on October 28 over 1106 metres behind Jenni The Jet (Hellbent). With some luck in this race, she looks hard to beat and could easily knock off her maiden status.
This well-related filly is by the very exciting Yulong-owned and based Alabama Express and is the first foal from the Tavistock (NZ) mare Crowned Eagle, who was unraced on the track. The second dam of Crowned Eagle is the Zabeel (NZ) mare Elegant Eagle (NZ), she was handy on the track winning three times from 1400 metres up to 2600 metres. She has thrived as a broodmare leaving seven winners including three stakes winners.
Eagle Express as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Included in her stakes-winning progeny are Go Indy Go (Bernardini {USA}) who was the victor in the G1 Champagne S. and the G3 Sires’ Produce S., Essay Raider (Bernardini) who won the G3 DC McKay S. and Air Assault (Justify {USA}) who like his half-sister Go Indy Go won the G3 Sires’ Produce S. as well as the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas, Listed Hill Smith S. and the Listed Morphettville Guineas.
Crowned Eagle since producing Eagle Express has produced a yearling colt by Tagaloa and is due to foal to Alabama Express this month.
Looking Back
Brego (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) ran a solid race on debut at Te Aroha for sixth, it was a real improvers run and he should progress onwards from this effort.
Carnegie Hill (I Am Invincible) ran a great race for second, he was charging late and only just missed out on victory. He looks like he has developed as a 3-year-old and could win a maiden soon.
