Andrew Forsman could take on the name of one of his horses going by the way his team are performing at present.
The Cambridge trainer has been in intimidating form across the Tasman with a pair of talented three-year-olds in She’s Licketysplit (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and Mr Maestro (NZ) (Savabeel), and back home he looks like he may have unearthed another talented three-year-old in The Intimidator (Toronado).
In the hands of Wiremu Pinn, the Toronado gelding put away a handy field to win the Comag Limited 1400 at Matamata on Saturday, extending his record to two wins and a placing from three starts.
“It was a really nice win,” Forsman said. “He has always shown good amount of ability. He is quite a big, raw type of horse and he has just taken a bit of racing to switch on.
“He was very tractable yesterday and did things right and won quite comfortably.
“There were certainly ones in there with reputations and had the form on the board. He really had to step up and I was rapt to see him win like that.”
Purchased by bloodstock agent Stuart Hale for $160,000 out of Inglewood Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, Forsman is in favour of freshening the gelding in preparation for the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe in January.
“We haven’t made any firm plans with him yet but my gut feeling is that he might be better to go to the paddock now,” Forsman said.
“He has had a good prep and at some point he is going to need a bit of a break. Ideally we would like to work through to the Karaka Mile as a target race for him.
“He has pulled up really well, but at some point we need to give him a freshen-up and that may be now.”
While The Intimidator is likely to bypass the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, Forsman looks to have another strong contender in the form of Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field).
The son of Deep Field was runner-up behind Pier in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday and Forsman has been pleased with the way his gelding has come through the run.
“He wasn’t as clean out of the barriers as we would have liked. He did have to do a bit of work to punch through and get to the lead, then he had a bit of a soft time of it and he kicked well but was just beaten by a better one on the day,” he said.
“At this stage we will keep pressing on towards the Guineas. He is doing well and seems to be coping really well in work. We have no firm plan with him but would consider the Sarten (Gr.2, 1400m) perhaps.”
Another stable runner to make the Cambridge horseman proud was White Noise (NZ) (El Roca) in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m).
Forsman was impressed by the grey gelding’s brave placing and hasn’t ruled out backing up the four-year-old in next Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.
“He went brilliant and was very brave. He was second-up and hadn’t run in a little while so he was a touch vulnerable fitness-wise against some of those,” Forsman said.
“From an awkward barrier draw (14) he has ended up covering ground but put in a very brave effort.
“With the preparation that he has had, the Livamol does become a bit of a tough option for him. We would like to if it works out, but that will be something we decide in the next 24 hours or so.”
One stable runner that will definitely be backing up in next week’s Group One is Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh), who put in an eye-catching runner-up effort behind La Crique in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m).
“She was brilliant,” Forsman said.
“She was tardily away and that cost her a touch. She wouldn’t have beaten La Crique but I was rapt to see her get up for a very valuable Group One placing.
“She has put in a huge effort and seems in good form, and looks to have come through it really well.
“We are looking at backing her up (in the Livamol). That is definitely on the agenda assuming she is fine in the next couple of days at the track.”
Meanwhile, Forsman can’t wait to head back across the Tasman this week to watch She’s Licketysplit line-up in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Wednesday before returning to the Melbourne track to watch Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) favourite Mr Maestro contest the Gr.3 Caulfield Classic (2000m).
“She’s Licketysplit and Mr Maestro had a good gallop on Saturday morning so they are all set for their assignments next week and we just hope the rain stays away now,” Forsman said.
