Written by Paul Vettise
New Zealand’s premier stable will attack the feature races on the closing day of the Hastings spring carnival with both quality and quantity.
And across the Tasman, Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will be represented by the reliable Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) who will realistically be chasing place money behind Winx (Street Cry {IRE}) in the G1 Turnbull S., at Flemington.
Stakes milestone beckons
The 5-year-old is a reliable performer in the top grade and while he has only won four races, one of them being the G1 Australian Derby, he is within touching distance of $2 million in earnings.
Jon Snow was a last-start third in the G2 Makybe Diva S., and the step up to 2000 metres will boost his chances, but the stable knows the presence of Winx negates that.
On the domestic front, the Cambridge trainers have Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}), Lizzie L'Amour (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Tomelilla (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) chasing top honours in the G1 Livamol Classic.
“There’s not a lot between them, although the two mares Lizzie L’Amour and Tomelilla would appreciate a bit of give in the ground.” – Andrew Forsman.
“There’s not a lot between them, although the two mares Lizzie L’Amour and Tomelilla would appreciate a bit of give in the ground,” Forsman said.
“Lizzie is a quality mare, but she’s only had the one run and will be behind some of the opposition but in saying that she is going well. There may be a question mark with Tomelilla at the distance (2000 metres), but it’s worth a crack.
“Saint Emilion will roll forward and he’s a tough horse and hard to get past. He’s ready.”
Guineas contenders
Meanwhile, their younger stablemates Madison County (NZ) (Pins), Thomas Aquinas (NZ) (Jakkalberry {IRE}) and Cutadeel (Dundeel {NZ}) will take aim at the G2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas.
They have also accepted with the last-start winner Qiji Express (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), but a wide gate is likely to keep him at home.
“He’s very doubtful. There are plenty of other options for him and he’s had some racing so we don’t need to take him down there for the sake of it,” Forsman said.
A pointer to the other trio’s prospects is Matthew Cameron opting to partner Madison County, having at one stage or other ridden the other two.
“He did choose to ride him. They are all very different horses and Madison County is more of a 2000 Guineas type whereas Cutadeel and Thomas Aquinas are looking for further and will be 2000 metre horses soon enough.”
