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.
Three runners will be running at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. Two exciting 2-year-old runners are going head-to-head, A beautifully-bred Written Tycoon colt takes on a Zousain colt that deserves maiden success. Then a well-bred Castelvecchio filly chases maiden success over the mile.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Good Luck Paris Eaton Handicap, $60,000, 1100m
Chicama, 2-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x The Broken Shore {Hussonet {USA}})
The beautifully-bred Chicama (Written Tycoon), is set to make his second start-over 1100 metres at Hawkebury on Wednesday. On debut in the Inglis Golden Gift, last November he ran eighth, as he had a tough run from the wide draw.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner has won two trials impressively in preparation for his resuming run.
Chicama as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Chicama is the seventh live foal from the Hussonet (USA) mare The Broken Shore. She was a metropolitan winner at 1100 metres on the track but has left a considerable mark as a broodmare leaving the three-time Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock), the Listed-winning gelding Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) and three other individual winners.
Chicama’s second dam is the great mare Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad) she will forever have a lasting influence on the breed in Australasia as she left the Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, as well as Manhattan Rain, Platinum Scissors, Echoes Of Heaven and Sliding Cube (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
The Broken Shore since producing Chicama has left a Maurice (Jpn) yearling colt and was then exported to Great Britain in January this year.
China Horse Club/Newgate/Go Bloodstock/Trilogy was the purchaser for $1,350,000 from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Good Luck Paris Eaton Handicap, $60,000, 1100m
Buckeye, 2-year-old colt (Zousain x Miss Amelia (More Than Ready {USA})
The well-related Buckeye (Zousain) is set to make his third start for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton at Hawkesbury on Wednesday.
Buckeye only ran sixth on debut at Rosehill on November 30 behind The Playwright (Written By) at Rosehill, and then backed that up with a very nice second resuming at Scone behind Fortissimo (Snitzel) on March 21.
The well-related colt is the second foal out of the More Than Ready (USA) mare Miss Amelia, who was a three-time winner but has started her broodmare career in fashion leaving the Group 3 winner Amelita (Zousain).
Buckeye as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Buckeye’s grandam was the smart 2-year-old Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice), she won the G2 Silver Slipper and went onto leave nine winners at stud including two that placed at Listed level.
Miss Amelia, since producing Buckeye has left a yearling filly by Zousain and was most recently served by Zousain again, before being exported to New Zealand in 2024 where no further mare returns have been received.
Buckeye was a $200,000 purchase by John O’Shea Racing and James Bester Bloodstock from the draft of Cressfield at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Hawkesbury, Race 3, 2pm AEDT, Blakes Marine Maiden Handicap, $100,000, 1600m
Full Hao, 3-year-old filly (Castelvecchio x Autumn Wild (Snitzel})
The well-bred Full Hao (Castelvecchio) is set to have her second start at Hawkesbury over 1600 metres for trainer Chris Waller on Wednesday. She ran a solid fourth place on debut at Kensington on March 13, and looks to be a filly of good promise.
Full Hao is a daughter of the in-form Castelvecchio and is out of the two-time winner Autumn Wild (Snitzel).
Castelvecchio | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Autumn Wild is out of the classy sprinter Regimental Gal (General Nediym) who was a seven-time winner including in the G1 Lightning Stakes, G1 Australia Stakes, G2 San Domenico Stakes, G2 Silver Shadow Stakes and the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
She has had success at stud leaving seven-winners with the best of them being Lilliburlero (Redoute’s Choice) who has been successful at Group 3 level in Sydney.
Full Hao was withdrawn from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Scorched Lane (Too Darn Hot {GB}) - ran a narrow second at Sale, he will surely get a maiden victory soon.
Hey Daisy (Written By) - was unfortunately scratched, she will keep for another day.
