High Hopes for Up and Comers

Media Release - Tuesday July 15

Andrew Forsman is hoping the younger members of his stable can make their mark in the new season’s age group events.

The Cambridge trainer is blessed with an array of youthful talent, both raced and unraced, although he is mindful of the challenges that lay ahead.

In the immediate future, he also has two strong chances at Avondale on Wednesday with Rio Grande and Eloise primed to advance his tally of 55 winners in the 2024/25 term, his best since the retirement of former training partner Murray Baker.

Eloise will contest the R.E.C Andrew Skinner Handicap (1600m) at Avondale on Wednesday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

“I’ve got a few nice three-year-olds coming along, but where they get to in the spring will be race by race, it’s hard to know which ones will cop the rigours of spring racing and the track conditions,” Forsman said.

“I’ve got a really nice horse called Quondo, who’s by Wootton Bassett and he had one trial during the autumn.

“Shoebill is a nice filly by Per Incanto and I like her a lot, she may take a little bit more time in the spring though.”

Both rising three, Quondo won his only trial while Shoebill finished runner-up in March before a break.

“The Espy and Fat Cat are also coming up really well, the bulk of the horses in work are two and three-year-olds,” Forsman said.

The former collected a win and a placing from three juvenile appearances while Fat Cat also showed promise during his first preparation.

Among the older brigade, Moonlight Magic and Mary Shan are leading lights.

“I’m looking forward to those two, it’s always hard when they perform well as three-year-olds to come back as four-year-olds,” Forsman said.

Advertisement

“I thought they ran creditably without a lot of luck, and I really think as mature five-year-olds they will come into their own.”

Moonlight Magic won the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) and ran second in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) during her classic year while Mary Shan is a multiple stakes placegetter.

Rising five-year-old Force Of Nature has won four of his eight starts and is close to a return to action.

“He’s got a good record and will either resume on Saturday week or at the next Te Rapa meeting,” Forsman said.

“He’s on the cusp on becoming a genuine open class horse, he’s been there against the winter gallopers and now he’s got to prove it against the better spring horses.”

Meanwhile, Rio Grande is a dual acceptor at Avondale on Wednesday and is more likely to run in the Volare Italian Restaurant Maiden (1600m) with Eloise in the R.E.C Andrew Skinner Handicap (1600m).

“Rio Grande will almost certainly run in three-year-old, it looks the right race for him, but it will come down to scratchings and how both fields shape up,” Forsman said.

“It was a really good effort the other day when the track was really wet for his first run on a grass surface, it was very game run.

“I really like Eloise in the last, she was very unlucky last start and expect her to be hard to beat as well.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Elite Broodmare Band Booked to Celestial Legend
Woodside Park Stud is proud to announce they are sending an outstanding group of broodmares to visit their exciting young sire Celestial Legend.