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 Sunday. These include a Brazen Beau 3-year-old filly that descents from the influential mare Eight Carat (GB) at Te Aroha, a promising Justify (USA) gelding runs at the Sunshine Coast and a Snitzel filly out of the Group 1-winning Viddora (I Am Invincible) debuts at Hawkesbury.
Te Aroha, Race 1, 11.06am AEDT (1.06pm local), Shackell Electrical Mdn., $18,500, 1150m
Out Of Exile, 3-year-old filly (Brazen Beau x Our Crown Jewels {NZ} {Tavistock {NZ}})
The Barbara Kennedy-trained Brazen Beau filly Out Of Exile, will have her third start at Te Aroha over 1150 metres on Sunday. She has had two starts last preparation as a juvenile at Te Rapa and ran very well in both of them. She ran a solid second on debut on April 14 behind Renovations (NZ) (Ardrossan) and then ran fourth in Listed company behind Super Photon (NZ) (Super Seth). She has then warmed up for this race assignment with a tidy third at the Waipa trials on November 18 behind Colonel Warden (Russian Revolution).
Diamond Like (Danehill {USA}) features in Out Of Exile’s pedigree as her grandam, she was a very quick mare with her best win being in the Listed Lightning H. She ended up leaving six winners including the Group winners Forever Loved (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Zephyron (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Out Of Exile as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Out Of Exile comes from an outstanding extended family, she is a descendant of - the famed matriarch Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}). There are so many successful Group performers within her pedigree including Don Eduardo (NZ), Kaapstad (NZ), Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Viscount, Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Viking Ruler, Kempinsky, Capital Diamond (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn), De Beers, Authentic Jewel (I Am Invincible), Lovetrista (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), Queen Of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel) and Gift Of Power (Power {GB}).
Crown Jewels since producing Out Of Exile, has left a yearling filly by Proisir who heads to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on the account of Yulong as Lot 749 and most recently foaled an Alabama Express colt in September.
Out Of Exile was a moderate NZ$40,000 purchase by DE Nakhle from the draft of Carlaw Park at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Sunshine Coast, Race 4, 3.40pm AEDT (2.40pm local), Homefront Australia Mdn H., $30,000, 1200m
French Empire, 3-year-old gelding (Justify {USA} x Champagne Cuddles {Not A Single Doubt})
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained French Empire will make his second start over 1200 metres at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday on the back of a tidy enough debut run for third on the same track over 1000 metres on October 27 when beaten by Deputize (Dubious).
French Empire is the first foal from the Not A Single Doubt mare Champagne Cuddles, who was a speedy four time winner, her wins included the G2 Breeders C., and the G3 Gold Coast Guineas. She also managed placings in the G1 Golden Rose, G1 Flight S., G1 Stradbroke H., and the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
This family has so much depth to it, French Empire’s grandam Sky Cuddle (Snippets) was also a very good race mare. She was a six time winner from 1200 metres to 1600 metres including in the G1 Emirates S., G2 Rose Of Kingston S., and the G3 Spring S.
French Empire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Other stakes horses within this outstanding page are Fast Clip (Snippetson), Undeniably (Fastnet Rock), Hint (Reset), Amor Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}), Sky Command (Deep Field), A Lot More Love (Sebring), Sky Love (Octagonal {NZ}), Violate (Sebring) and Highly Recommended.
Champagne Cuddles sold at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale fetching $2 million to the bid of Tom Magnier. Since producing French Empire, has left a 2-year-old filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) named Bottles Of Shells and has since been exported to America to go and visit Justify.
French Empire was purchased from the Coolmore Stud draft for $700,000 to Kia Ora Stud/TFI/Annabel Neasham Racing Pty Ltd from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 2.20pm AEDT, Starr Partners Merrylands,Pemulwuy & Wentworthville Mdn Plate, $42,000, 900m
O’Invincible, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Viddora {I Am Invincible})
The well-bred O’Invincible, is set to make her debut over 1000 metres for Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker at Hawkesbury on Sunday. She has trialled well in preparation for her debut winning her last one at Warwick Farm on November 19 when defeating Miss Backchat (I’m All The Talk) by 3.97l over 802 metres. That form got a nice boost when Miss Backchat won on debut at Canberra on Friday.
O'Invincible as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
O’Invincible is the first live foal from the talented sprinter Viddora (I Am Invincible), she won nine times on the track including the G1 AJ Moir S., and the G1 Winterbottom S. Her grandam is Snow Flight (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}) who has been a very consistent producer leaving seven winners. Aside from leaving the aforementioned Viddora she has left the winners Relentless Me (Statue Of Liberty {USA}), Jump’n Fly (I Am Invincible), Jenni The Jet (Hellbent), Shadow Chaser (Super One), Magnaflight (Magnus) and Snowplough (Fiorente {Ire}).
Since producing O’Invincible, Viddora has left a 2-year-old colt named Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon) and foaled a filly by Diatonic (Jpn) in September this spring.
O’Invincible was a $500,000 purchase by Bjorn Baker Racing/Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Charka (Exceed And Excel) ran a solid third on debut at Newcastle, she got well out of her ground early and then made very good ground late. She should improve off that experience.
Mortal Halo (Better Than Ready) ran an excellent second on debut at Eagle Farm, he only went down narrowly. He has lots of potential heading forward.
Usir (NZ) (American Pharoah {USA}) ran an okay fourth at Wangaratta over ground, he looks ready to go close next time to the races.
