The champion Cambridge trainers’ travelling party has already hit the board in Sydney with G3 Ming Dynasty S. winner Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) while Long Jack (So You Think {NZ}) claimed a Ballarat maiden last month.
The focus now turns to Caulfield on Saturday where Long Jack will be out to boost his G1 VRC Derby claims while one proven at the top level, Madison County (NZ) (Pins) takes on the G1 Ladbrokes Sir Rupert Clarke S.
The dual Group 1 winner hasn’t raced since he finished runner-up in the G1 ATC Derby and Forsman said the China Horse Club-raced gelding was in fine fettle to open his campaign.
Madison County (NZ)
“He’s extremely well and we’re expecting a very good run. He’ll be carrying 57kg and a couple of the ones who jump and put themselves on pace have got a decent concession in the weights.
“He’s extremely well and we’re expecting a very good run.” – Andrew Forsman
“That’s the thing he has to overcome, but hopefully he’s classy enough on the day.”
While Madison County saw out the Derby distance as a 3-year-old, he is a dual Group 1 winner over a mile and that’s the trip of his likely next target.
“He’ll probably go to the G1 Toorak H., but we’ll see about that after Saturday,” Forsman said.
Forsman will decide Madison County's next target after Saturday
Madison County will be ridden by Damian Lane and he will also be aboard stablemate Long Jack, runner-up in last season’s Listed Champagne S. to Rhaegar (Pluck {USA}), who is in Sydney, in the 4CYTE for Living Legends H.
“He did everything we hoped for at Ballarat and it’s never easy on a surface he’d never been on before,” Forsman said. “While it wasn’t a stellar field, he did beat the older horses over a distance which is short of his best ultimately.”
Bred to stay
Long Jack was successful over 1400 metres on the synthetic track at Ballarat and as a son of Extravaganza (Ger) is bred to go a lot further. His dam sire Monsun (Ger) has been a major staying influence in Australia, with his sons Almandin (Ger), Protectionist (Ger) and Fiorente (Ire) all G1 Melbourne Cup winners.
“He’s drawn 10 out of 10 in what’s not an outstanding line-up, but a decent step up from what he beat last time,” Forsman said.
“Obviously, there’s different Derby lead-ups in the next month or so. There’s not a set plan in place so hopefully he runs well and then we can pick a path toward that.”
Domestic Group 1 hopes
On the home front, the stable has Cutadeel (Dundeel {NZ}) testing the Group 1 waters in the Windsor Park Plate at Hastings.
The winner of five of his nine starts, including the Listed 3YO Salver at Ellerslie last season, he made a triumphant return as a 4-year-old on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival when too strong over 1600 metres.
“He’s improved a lot and looks great. The big question mark is going from a handicap to weight-for-age,” Forsman said.
Cutadeel
The Windsor Park had always been on Cutadeel’s programme and it was locked in following his first day success.
“This is what we have been working toward. Obviously, the owners are keen to campaign him in Australia at some point so that being the case, he’s got to measure up against these horses,” Forsman said.
“He deserves his chance and he’s just a new season 4-year-old so it will be interesting to see how he measures up, but it won’t be easy for him.”
“He deserves his chance... it will be interesting to see how he measures up." - Andrew Forsman
Stablemate Mongolian Marshal (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) also has the benefit of a first-up placing and Forsman believes the step up to a mile is perfect for him.
"I think he will run really well. He is best held up for one run. You would like him to be trialing, but I don't think he has quite got that early speed," he said.
"If he was three back on the fence that would be ideal and just hope he gets the split."
Aretha top fancy
Baker and Forsman also have two chances in Aretha (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Birdsong (NZ) (Snitzel) in the other feature, the G3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail S. and the former is clearly the stable’s top pick.
“She’s definitely more of a 1200 metre horse. She’s sharper and has drawn a better barrier and is more experienced in general,” Forsman said.
Aretha
Aretha won the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. last season and was placed in the G1 Sistema S. and in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. She has had two trials to fit her for her return.
She will jump from an inside gate while Birdsong, who was untested to win her only start at Te Rapa as a 2-year-old, will have to cope with an outside alley.
“From the draw over 1200 metres, Birdsong will have her work cut out. She’ll be better suited once she gets up to 1400 metres to a mile,” Forsman said.
Meanwhile, Forsman has been receiving encouraging reports on Quick Thinker and Rhaegar since their runs in the Ming Dynasty last month, which the former won in impressive fashion with Rhaegar a sound fourth.
“Quick Thinker will head straight to the G3 Gloaming S. Saturday week,” he said. “Hugh Bowman is tentatively booked to ride him provided his finger passes the medical next week. Rhaegar will head to the same race.”
