Australian Derby Possible for The Chosen One

Media Release - Saturday March 30

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable's four-pronged attack on Saturday's Group III Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni paid a handsome dividend when they emerged with the quinella in the event.

The Chosen One - Race Images Peter RuberyPunters were of the opinion that the Cambridge operation would provide the winner of the race as they installed royally-bred Tavistock filly Spring Delight as favourite ahead of her stablemate, The Chosen One.

As it panned out that judgement proved spot on with Spring Delight hitting the front halfway down the Awapuni straight before succumbing to the powerful late burst of The Chosen One who finished strongly from a mid-field position in the hands of rider Troy Harris.

The Chosen One was having his first start since copping a battering during the running of the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), with the performance giving his connections food for thought about a lightning raid across the Tasman to contest next weekend's Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick.

"We will have to have a think about that (contesting the Australian Derby)," Murray Baker said.

"If he was to go to Randwick, we would have to fly him over on Tuesday.

"I was confident of a big run today (though).

"I thought they all had a show as they were fit horses and had run well with their previous form.

"It's always good to come back and race (and win) here."

Advertisement

Baker was also delighted with the performance of Spring Delight who was backing up from an impressive victory against the older horses over 2100m at Tauranga last weekend.

"She (Spring Delight) had won well at her last start," he said.

"She had a good draw and got a nice run.

"It was a good effort, especially for a filly.

"We'll have to have a think about where we go next with her."

Owned by a large group that includes his breeders, Joe, Martin, Ray and Tony Dennis, The Chosen One is by Savabeel and is the first foal of outstanding South Island racemare, The Glitzy One, who won eight races and was stakes placed on multiple occasions. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Lonhro Blueblood Colt Wins Listed Dulcify
At the start of August we ran a story about the 3YO’s that were entered for this year Cox Plate and aside from the usual suspects there were some ‘Cox Plate’ dreamers and one of them was unraced Lonhro colt Attica, who scored his first stakes win at Randwick on Saturday when taking out the Listed ATC Dulcify Stakes (1600m).
Probabeel Chasing Karaka Million History
High-class filly Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) will shoot for a slice of history at the Karaka Million twilight race meeting at Ellerslie on January 25.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Probabeel Shows her Class
Superstar three-year-old Probabeel proved a class above her age-group rivals when she made a winning start to her summer campaign over 1400m at Awapuni on Saturday.
Mo'Unga Looking to Bounce Back
Trainer Annabel Neasham is looking forward to stepping out Group One winner Mo’unga in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, where she is expecting to see an improved run from the entire.
Lindsay Park Love Their Per Incanto's
Ben, Will and JD Hayes know a thing or two about the juvenile progeny of Per Incanto (USA), and they unveiled another exciting son of the Little Avondale Stud stallion in Melbourne’s first two-year-old race of the season on Saturday.
Savabeel Colt Secures Karaka Million Start
Te Akau Racing’s quest to win the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) for the fourth year in succession was bolstered considerably when Cool Aza Beel ensured his place in the field with a dominant victory at Tauranga on Friday.