One to Watch – Muswellbrook

Tara Madgwick - Thursday February 1
Kris Lees has adopted a patient approach with this gorgeous son of High Chaparral (IRE) who provided his Group I winning dam Lights of Heaven with her first winner at Muswellbrook on Thursday.

High Chaparral is the sire of Road to HeavenA homebred for Ron and Judy Wanless, three year-old Road to Heaven had trialled six times previously before making his debut, so was well educated and ready to fire in the 1280 metre maiden.

Gelded due to his colty behaviour as a youngster, Road to Heaven showed no sign of that when moving up sharply from the jump to take a position just behind the leaders.

He surged to the front turning for home and kicked clear to score by a length and a quarter doing all that was asked of him for a first outing.

Road to Heaven is the first foal of top class Zabeel mare Lights of Heaven, who was also bred and retained to race by Mr and Mrs Wanless.

She won eight races and $1.5 million highlighted by the Group I SAJC Schweooes Oaks and was also placed in the Doomben and Caulfield Cups.

Lights of Heaven has a two year-old filly by Redoute's Choice and produced a colt by Snitzel last spring.



Advertisment
More Reading...
Mick Dee Chasing More Kiwi Glory
Expat jockey Mick Dee is set to return to one of his happiest hunting grounds, Ellerslie, with a full book of rides on Boxing Day headed by El Vencedor in the Gr. 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m).
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia announces 2026 Next Crop Committee
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2026 Next Crop Committee, a national group of passionate and forward-thinking industry participants committed to supporting the next generation of Australia’s thoroughbred industry.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday December 17
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pretty Powerful Continues Winning Run for Yes Yes Yes
The last foal of blue hen Pretty Penny, Pretty Powerful returned for a new campaign as a gelding at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and he made it a winning return.
Inglis Digital year concludes on a high - Two Mares Sell for $140,000
Two well-related mares stole the show in today’s Inglis Digital December (Late) Online Sale, selling for $140,000 each in the final auction of 2025.
First Win for $1million Jet
He was bought for $1million at Magic Millions with stallion potential in mind, but Zoustar three year-old Jet found the winner’s circle for the first time at Warwick Farm on Wednesday as a gelding.
The Remarkable Rise of Zambardo
The one time scruffy weanling that emerged to challenge the mighty Via Sistina (IRE) in the Group I VRC Champions Stakes was one of the finds of the spring, how far can he go?
Cool Archie Return Delayed
The highly anticipated return to the races for exciting colt Cool Archie has been put on ice with co-trainer Chris Munce revealing the colt has an issue.
Racing Australia Issue a Statement on Black Type
Racing Australia Chairman Rob Rorrison has released the following statement. 
Vote for Your Favourite Foal of 2025
We thank everyone for their participation in this year’s Foal Gallery with an amazing selection of babies from all over Australia and New Zealand making it a real showcase for breeders big and small and the task of selecting just six for our audience to vote for is not an easy one.