With an eye to the future, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is the preferred Classic option for talented filly Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel).
The Andrew Forsman-trained daughter of Savabeel is on a path toward the Trackside-sponsored feature and will trip south to Saturday’s Taranaki meeting to further her preparation.
She will run in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth while stablemate and fellow Derby hope Mustang Morgan (NZ) (Preferment) will stay closer to home and line up at Ellerslie.
Bred by co-owner Christoper Grace, Hinekaha is the pre-post favourite following her debut victory and placings in the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie and over that course and distance last time out.
“For her, it’s as much about more black type and the timing between races as to where we want to get to,” Forsman said.
“The 1800m is a nice progression, so it sets up perfectly for other races we’ve got in mind.
“She’s obviously spent time down at Surrey Farm (Bulls), Christopher Grace’s property where she was born and raised so she’s been up and down a few times and travelling won’t be an issue.”
Hinekaha has displayed all the attributes to suggest she can a serious contender for higher honours.
“I really like her, she’s got a good pedigree and is a lovely type of horse with a good attitude,” Forsman said.
“Her ability to switch off and relax in the run will hopefully see her come into her own as she gets over further.
“We hope to run her in the Derby via an Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m).
“If she was to be a Sydney candidate, going there off a long trip to Trentham (for the Oaks) would be tough but we are keeping all options open.”
To be ridden by Craig Grylls, Hinekaha will be accompanied south by Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) who will make a fresh start in the hands of apprentice Lily Sutherland in the Platinum Homes Open (1400m).
“I am really happy with him and he’ll improve, but he has had a couple of trials and has come back a lot bigger and stronger this preparation,” Forsman said.
At Ellerslie, Mustang Morgan will run in the Trelawney Stud Handicap (1600m) under Warren Kennedy after they combined to win the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) earlier this month.
“I didn’t want to give him too many runs over a middle distance,” Forsman said.
“He had a week or so in the paddock after the Salver and he’ll go into the mile in a fresh state and that hopefully sets him up for the Guineas and then the Derby.”
The well-performed Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor), winner of last season’s Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) and Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) runner-up, will tackle the Victoria Racing Club Handicap (2200m).
The Almanzor mare returned to a middle-distance last time out when third in the Remutaka Classic (2100m) and George Rooke will continue his association with the four-year-old.
“She got left a bit flat-footed when they sprinted at the top of the straight and the best part of her race was through the line so she’s looking for further and the Avondale Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) looks a nice race for her,” Forsman said.
Meanwhile, stablemate Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will debut in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) off the back of two recent trials with Joe Doyle to take the reins.
“It’s very much a throw at the stumps with her and there wasn’t a lot of other options coming up, the only other two-year-old race in the near future was a long trip to Tauherenikau,” Forsman said.
“That would be a tough ask, but she has showed natural ability and does seem like a horse that will perform well as a two-year-old.”
