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 Thursday. These include a Too Darn Hot (GB) half-sister to Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}) making her debut at New Plymouth and then Geelong is the venue for a promising Snitzel 2-year-old to debut and a Toronado (Ire) mare to chase her maiden win
New Plymouth, Race 3, 12.12am AEDT (2.12pm local), Hirepool Mdn 3YO, $18,500, 1100m
Hot Mama (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Too Darn Hot {GB} x Choice {NZ} {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
The well-related Hot Mama (NZ) is set to make her debut over 1100 metres for local trainer Robbie Patterson on the back of a very promising trial effort at Foxton on November 7 where she won very nicely when defeating Shockiff (NZ) (Shocking).
Hot Mama is the fifth foal from the Mastercraftsman (Ire) mare Choice (NZ). She was the winner of the G3 Eulogy S. on the track and has then gone onto have success as a broodmare already leaving Manzoice who was successful in the G1 Victoria Derby, Raajoices (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) has won three times over staying trips and then Regal Ruby (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and La Freccia (Shooting To Win) have both been winners over 1400 metres.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
An Ardrossan half-brother to Choice will be selling at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale as Lot 610 from the draft of Elsdon Park. This colt is a full brother to the 2-year-old filly Callistabella (NZ) (Ardrossan) who was purchased for $170,000 by the Entain Group Pty Ltd and is now raced by the TAB Racing Club and trained by Stephen Marsh.
Choice since producing Hot Mama has left a 2-year-old filly by Almanzor and most recently foaled a Satono Aladdin (Jpn) filly in August this spring.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, DMB Contracting 2YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1121m
Beskar, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Sword Of Light {New Approach {Ire}})
The well-bred Beskar is set to make his debut over 1121 metres for Cranbourne trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman at Geelong on Thursday. Beskar jumped out sharply in preparation for his debut on November 25 when he won over 800 metres at Cranbourne.
Beskar is a son of Arrowfield Stud’s Champion stallion Snitzel and is out of the New Approach (Ire) mare Sword Of Light who was classy on the track winning five times including the G2 Let’s Elope S., and the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies). She has already left Darksaber (Fastnet Rock) who has been a winner at 1200 metres.
Beskar as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sword Of Light is also very well-related being a half-sister to Sword Of Justice (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) who was a tough campaigner winning eight times from 1200 metres up to 1600 metres including in the Listed Members’ Cup.
The family is very current and is full of other Group winners including Flamberge (Exceed And Excel), Razor Blade (Blazing Sword), Sunburnt Land (Scenic {Ire}), Durendal (Medaglia D’Oro{USA}) and Curtana (Exceed And Excel).
Sword Of Light since producing Beskar has left a colt by Zoustar in September this spring.
Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock was the purchaser of Beskar for $600,000 from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, McGrath Estate Agents Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1221m
Bangalow Road, 4-year-old mare (Toronado {Ire} x Infinito {Encosta de Lago})
The well-bred daughter of Toronado (Ire), Bangalow Road, is set to have her third start over 1221 metres for Geelong trainer Thomas Sadler on her home track on Thursday.
In her first campaign she showed some promise where she battled on well for a close-up fifth at Kyneton on March 19 and then she ran a moderate sixth at Cranbourne in early April. After a break, a change of trainer and a couple of jump outs she looks ready to show her worth on Thursday.
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Bangalow Road is the eighth foal from Infinito (Encosta De Lago). She was unraced on the track but is out of the very classy mare Infinite Grace (Prince Of Birds {USA}), she won seven times including the Tristarc S. twice when at Group 2 level and Group 3 level respectively. She has already left six individual winners including Always Sure (Not A Single Doubt), Estrado (Stratum), Never In Doubt (Not A Single Doubt), Salamence (Foxwedge), Lord Percy (Sepoy) and Miss Vigilante (Fastnet Rock).
Further back in the family is the G1 Thorndon Mile winner in The Mitigator (Master Of Design) and the G2 Edward Manifold S. winner Fontein Ruby (Turffontein) who has had success at stud leaving Parure (Fastnet Rock) who won the G2 Autumn Classic.
Infinito since producing Bangalow Road has left a 3-year-old colt by Shamus Award, a 2-year-old colt by Fiorente (Ire), a yearling filly by Puissance De Lune (Ire) and a filly by Darley Stud's shuttler Ghaiyyath (Ire) was born in October.
Looking Back
Phoebe Buffay (NZ) (Sweynesse) was just an okay fourth as favourite at Rotorua, she appeared to have every chance, but she still battled on well.
Thurmond (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) ran an honest race for fifth, he ran like a stayer and should get up to a suitable trip next time out, the further the better for him.
Some Style (Exceed And Excel) ran fifth on debut at Ipswich, she missed the start badly, so it made it difficult for her to get into the race. She did make some steady ground which could be a good sign that she will improve quickly with the experience, further distance and on a bigger track.
