Kiwi Star Trio Headed for Australia

Media Release - Monday February 8

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman isn’t quite sure what to expect from top stayer The Chosen One when he tackles the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa this weekend.

The five-year-old entire will be having his first raceday start since doing his connections proud during the Melbourne spring carnival, finishing third in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) before running a gallant fourth in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The Chosen One - image Racing Photos

The Chosen One - image Racing Photos

The Chosen One will be having his only domestic race on Saturday in a preparation that has the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) in April as the main target. A pair of trial outings last month have fitted him for his campaign opener, however Forsman knows whatever he produces on the day will bring him on nicely for the Australian venture.

“He (The Chosen One) is very well but it’s not easy going into a Group One over 2000m first up,” Forsman said.

“I think he is as ready as we can have him and he did win first up in Melbourne in the spring.

“A similar sort of run would see him in it although I’m not sure just what sort of field he will be up against other than Melody Belle.

“He is ready, but we also know we have to get to Sydney yet and have the necessary improvement in him.”

Safely through Saturday’s assignment, The Chosen One will join unbeaten three-year-old Aegon and last season’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner Quick Thinker on a plane to Sydney.

“All three of our Australian team fly over early next week,” Forsman said.

“At this stage we don’t really have anything locked in for Quick Thinker, it’s really a matter of getting him going on the right-handed tracks and hopefully with some give in them.

Advertisement

“We will play it by ear with him and if he comes up well then the Sydney Cup could be an option.

“Aegon has done well since his win on Karaka Million night and is very fresh.

“We haven’t done much with him and he will probably have a gallop on Tuesday and another on Saturday before he gets on the plane.

“He will go into the Hobartville Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) first up and then two weeks after that the Randwick Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).”

The Baker and Forsman trio will be accompanied by experienced travelling foreperson Aleisha Legg, who could be in for a long stint across the Tasman.

“Aleisha will head over on Sunday and be with the team for the entire campaign,” Forsman said.

“We’re not too sure at this stage what is going to happen with all travel restrictions, but she may end up staying through until the spring with the delays in getting into managed isolation back here.

“She has been through quarantine a few times now so it might be nice for her to have the winter over there.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Lisa Kennedy Recognized for Thoroughbred Welfare
Lisa Kennedy has always had a passion for thoroughbreds, and her efforts in guiding retired racehorses into new careers through EventStars were celebrated at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards last Sunday as the winner of the Care and Welfare Excellence Award.
Starlust Retired - Riverstone Lodge Next Stop
Zoustar’s brilliant Group I winning son Starlust (GB) has been retired following his excellent close up fourth in the Group I King Charles Stakes (5f) at Royal Ascot last month.
I Am Unstoppable New for Oaklands Stud
Queenslanders have not had a great deal of opportunity to breed to sons of champion sire I Am Invincible with just two listed to stand in the sunshine state this spring, although we can now make that three with Oaklands Stud announcing the addition of Group I performer I Am Unstoppable.
Impressive Maiden Success For Close Relation To Champion Filly English
Darley’s Too Darn Hot appears to have another promising filly on his hand in the shape of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Tomato Toastie who broke her maiden by more than two lengths at Warwick Farm, winning the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1200m) at just her second start.
G1 Older Sprinters- Are Our Sprinters the Best in the World?
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 23 Group I races won by older horses at a distance less than 1600m, but one race that fits the category but is yet to be given G1 status is the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) and form out of it would suggest it was the best of them all.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 1
Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yes Yes Yes to Stand at Gooree Park Stud
When Yes Yes Yes scored a course record breaking win in The Everest in 2019, the three year-old colt delivered a fairytale result for his ownership group and some of those owners are committed to ensuring his future at stud going forward and they include Julia Ritchie.
One To Watch – Sandown
One of three unraced runners in the field of six contesting Sandown’s opening race, the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1300m), it was the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Savabeel filly Savannah Chill (NZ) who came out on top on the Lakeside track.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 2
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Older Milers and Stayers- No Wonder Owners Look Overseas
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 26 Group I races won by older horses at a distance of 1600m or more and they were won by 17 different horses with Via Sistina (IRE) and Mr Brightside (NZ) the only horses to win G1 races as sprinters (less than 1600m) and also as mile/middle distance/staying horses.