IMustang Valley’s return to the track at Te Rapa last month was nothing short of bold and promising. Trainer Andrew Forsman, known for his strategic approach, has wisely chosen a steady path for this high-class daughter of Vanbrugh.
Mustang Valley’s upcoming race at New Plymouth serves as a stepping stone toward two prestigious Group 1 events: the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings on September 30 and the Livamol Classic (2040m) at the same venue two weeks later.
These two races marked Mustang Valley’s breakthrough on the Group One stage last spring, where she secured second place in the Arrowfield and went on to dominate the Livamol with a resounding victory.
Despite her strong first-up performance in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on August 26, where she finished a close sixth, Forsman resisted the temptation to rush her into a Group One contest.
“We considered the Tarzino, but we just thought that going to a 1400m race second-up against a field as tough as that might not be the right step at this early stage of her campaign,” Forsman explained.
Instead, the team opted for a softer option at New Plymouth, taking into account the track conditions.
Mustang Valley is currently the favourite at +140 for Saturday’s race and is also highly regarded in the TAB’s fixed-odds markets for the upcoming Arrowfield Plate and Livamol Classic.
To further enhance her chances, Forsman has enlisted the services of apprentice jockey Triston Moodley to reduce Mustang Valley’s weight to 57kg. This will be a key advantage in the open handicap field.
Forsman’s involvement in racing doesn’t end there. He also has Aegon participating in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Aegon’s recent performances have shown promise, and Forsman remains hopeful that a good, genuinely run race will allow Aegon to shine.
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