Promising three-year-old Mustang Morgan (NZ) (Preferment) will get his first taste of Australian racing when he heads to Rosehill on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).
It’s a race familiar to his conditioner Andrew Forsman, who won the 2017 (Jon Snow) and 2020 (Quick Thinker) editions when training in partnership with Murray Baker, and he believes his gelding is up to the task.
The son of Preferment has had a pleasing three-year-old campaign to date, winning the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie in January and returned to the Auckland track earlier this month where he finished fourth behind Willydoit in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Forsman said he has come through the run well and has been pleased with the way he has settled in Sydney, with his only concern being the inclement weather forecast ahead of the weekend.
“I am just a little bit nervous looking at the weather forecast,” he said. “He has only had the one run on a rain affected surface and it wasn’t that flash, albeit as a young, inexperienced horse.
“Otherwise, I am very happy with how he has travelled over and settled in, we just hope the track isn’t too bad and he gets the chance to prove where he’s at.”
Back in New Zealand, Forsman will head to Trentham on Saturday where he will have a two-pronged attack in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) courtesy of Way Out West (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Prochester (NZ) (Proisir).
Way Out West has shown plenty of ability in her first two starts, winning on debut at Tauranga over 1400m in the hands of Craig Grylls before placing over a mile at Te Aroha earlier this month.
Forsman is looking forward to seeing what the daughter of U S Navy Flag can do over Saturday’s middle-distance trip, with her performance dictating the remainder of her autumn preparation.
“Way Out West is lightly-tried. We are not sure whether she will run a strong middle-distance, but we felt this was the best option to give her that opportunity,” Forsman said.
“What she does on Saturday really determines how we place her heading forward.”
Prochester heads into the Manawatu Classic off the back of two unplaced Guineas runs, and Forsman believes he will be better suited to Trentham this weekend.
“Prochester has proven he is capable, he has just been a little bit in and out (of form),” Forsman said. “Back to left-handed we are hoping is key. I think a big, roomy track, he may be able to bounce back to some of his better form.”
Forsman will also be represented in the Listed Branco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) by last start winner Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field).
“He has always been a handy horse, I just think he’s been quite physically immature right the way through,” Forsman said. “But this prep I thought for the first time he is really looking a fully mature horse. Hopefully that translates to a bit more consistent form, and this is a suitable race for him.”
Forsman is also excited about the prospects of Retrostar (NZ) (Vespa) in the Herrick Perry Memorial 1400.
The three-year-old son of Vespa showed early promise, winning two of his first three starts, but has failed to flatter in his latest raceday appearances, beating just the one runner home in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) and tailing the field home in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).
“Retrostar has been a bit of an enigma, but I think back to left-handed racing may be the key with him as well,” Forsman said. “A roomy track and (rating) 65 1400m, I think he is well placed and hopefully he can regain his best form.”
Retrostar could be joined in his race by stablemate Transaction, however, Forsman will be on weather watch with the filly ahead of the weekend.
“It will be track dependent. We don’t want to run on a firm track first time off a break,” he said. “I think she is a filly that just for now appreciates a little bit of cut in the track.
“We will see what the weather does and how the track is going to present this Saturday as to whether we race her or she might be saved for the next week or two.”
