Kiwi Mare Positivity Ready for Cup

Media Release - Sunday November 3

Talented Kiwi mare Positivity will step out on the greatest stage for stayers at Flemington on Tuesday, when she contests the A$8 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

In the care of highly-respected Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman, Positivity has been racing for less than twelve months, but came a long way in a short period of time as an autumn three-year-old. The Almanzor filly won the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and finished second in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), before crossing the Tasman and winning the Gr.3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville.

Positivity will take her place in Tuesday's A$8 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington - image Grant Courtney

The mare has been based at Forsman’s Flemington stable through the spring, placing in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) and winning the Gr.3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m), which earned her an automatic place in the A$5 million Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Forsman had every intention of running his mare in the Caulfield Cup, but she was unfortunately scratched due to a bruised heel, instead running in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) the following Friday, where she finished eighth.

“It was just bad timing as much as anything, she bruised a heel in her final gallop and she had to trot-up perfectly sound for the vets that afternoon, which she didn’t,” Forsman said.

“They gave her a grace of 24 hours before trying again later on the Friday, and she still wasn’t 100% right, so we elected to miss that race, which probably set her back a bit going into the Mooney Valley Gold Cup.

“It wasn’t her best performance there, but she had to work hard early to sit outside a very hot speed, I think it may have even been a race record. The leader stopped and she then had to cart the field up, she boxed on well but the effort she did early in the race told on her late.

“I thought, given the circumstances leading into it and how the race unfolded, the run had plenty of merit.”

In preparation for her first attempt at two miles, Positivity was given two public hit-outs at Flemington and Werribee through this week, both of which pleased Forsman.

“She had a good gallop on the Flemington course proper on Tuesday morning for a nice hit-out there,” he said.

Advertisement

“She went to Werribee for an exhibition gallop between races on Friday which was her final piece of fast work, then Winona Costin came and gave her a bit of three-quarter pace this morning.

“She’s pretty well ready to go.”

Costin was set to ride Positivity in the Caulfield Cup and will be afforded the opportunity again on Tuesday, where the mare has drawn barrier 20 and will carry just 50kg.

“We were hoping for a better barrier draw, but there’s not much we can do about that now,” Forsman said.

“She’ll need a bit of luck from there, but the key is finding a bit of cover, hopefully she can settle and relax well. When you are running two miles for the first time, you want to give them every chance to see the trip out.”

Forsman has plenty of big-race experience in Australia having won the likes of the Caulfield Cup, Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) while in partnership with Murray Baker, and he emphasised the challenge a race like the Melbourne Cup presents.

“It’s great, while the plan and preparation hasn’t been perfect, it’s still great to be a part of it,” he said.

“You know that going into a Melbourne Cup, you can never be too confident, it’s a big field and you need a lot of luck. Along with that, also you’ve got to see whether your horse can stay the two miles.

“A lot of things have to go your way in a race like this.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cosmic Fire a New SW for Cosmic Force
Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey was thrilled to have a stakes-winner on a big carnival day at Eagle Farm with his talented Cosmic Force three year-old gelding Cosmic Fire soaring to new heights when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
€1.85million Sale-Topping Frankel Filly Wins Epsom Oaks for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Oaks (1m4f) had a raging hot favourite in undefeated Godolphin entry Desert Flower, but she came up short in her first try at the classic trip going down to finish third behind the Aidan O’Brien trained duo Minnie Hauk (Frankel and Whirl (Wootton Bassett).
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Easter Segenhoe Stakes Double
Outstanding mare Joliestar (Zoustar) secured a third career G1 win with a staggering come-from-behind victory in today’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
Levendi Thriving at Magnum Park in Tasmania
Magnum Park is proud to announce that their well credentialled young stallion Levendi will stand at the Old Beach property this spring.
2025 Group I Belmont Stakes - Godolphin Celebrate Victory in Triple Crown Finale
Back in May, Godolphin had a rare magical 48 hours when they won the Group I Newmarket 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with all four of those star three year-olds scheduled to race over the last 48 hours – so how did they fare?
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.