While many trainers are hoping to see the rain stay away from Hawke’s Bay this week, Andrew Forsman has the opposing view when considering whether to start Mustang Valley in Saturday’s Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m).
Mustang Valley has collected both of her Group One victories during the spring carnival at Hastings, firstly with the 2022 running of the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m), and last year’s Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m).
Returning in her six-year-old season, the mare was a strong fifth behind Bonny Lass in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last month, a key lead-in to the opening elite-level race of the new term.
“She’s going really well, we were happy with her run in the Foxbridge and while she didn’t get all favours, being shuffled back and losing her spot, she was game making her run up the worst part of the track,” Forsman said.
“She’ll improve for that having only had the one trial going into it.”
The daughter of Vanbrugh is more than capable on a good surface, but she is extremely effective as the track conditions deteriorate, with the alternative option an Open 1400m contest at New Plymouth, a race she won last year before taking out the Arrowfield Stud Plate.
“It is very much track dependent, we’ll look at the forecast on Wednesday morning and decide whether we accept,” he said.
“If there is any sign of rain, that would help her and possibly slow a few of the others down, but if not, we have the option of New Plymouth as a back-up the following Saturday.”
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