By Bren O'Brien
Back in January, Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) gave Desleigh Forster the thrill of a lifetime with his win in the Magic Millions QTIS Open and the Eagle Farm trainer is plotting a return to the rich fields of the Gold Coast after his breakthrough stakes win on Saturday.
The 5-year-old confirmed his quality and his improvement over the past 12 months with a narrow win in a strong renewal of the G3 George Moore S. at Doomben on Saturday, putting the $28,000 yearling purchase within $55,000 of becoming his trainer's first-ever million-dollar earner.
Forster told TDN AusNZ that a trip back to the Gold Coast in January was firmly on Chapter And Verse's agenda after he tackles the Listed Lough Neagh S. at Eagle Farm on December 14.
"I'd like to run him in the Lough Neagh in two weeks back at Eagle Farm and up to the 1300," she said. "I’d go a month between runs and into the Millions. I'm undecided which race, the QTIS race or the Magic Millions Cup. It will come down to what weight he will get in the QTIS race.
"It all depends what the handicapper does with him after yesterday."
Both races are worth $1 million. Rated 77, he carried just 54kg in the QTIS race when he won for jockey Mark Du Plessis back in January. His rating was 92 before Saturday's success, and will likely jump significantly after his win.
Jockey Mark Du Plessis and Desleigh Forster
That may mean he has to tackle the tougher R. Listed Magic Millions Cup over 1400 metres, but Forster would be confident after he performed so well second-up over the 1200 metres at Doomben on Saturday, edging out multiple stakes winner Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom).
She said he has pulled up bright and well and it’s onwards and upwards from here.
She also feels Chapter And Verse has improved significantly since that emotional win at the Gold Coast earlier this year.
"We've spaced his races and he's just needed time to mature and develop, that's all he needed," she said.
"We've spaced his races and he's just needed time to mature and develop, that's all he needed." - Desleigh Forster
"Twelve months ago, he wasn't mature enough and he's fully matured now. He's grown into a big beautiful horse now."
Chapter And Verse as a yearling
And he continues to reward Forster for the faith she showed in him, when picking him up at the 2016 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale from the draft of his breeder Raheen Stud.
"There was nothing particularly special about him. He was a nice horse and I buy a lot through Raheen Stud. I happened to like him and that was it," she said.
"There was nothing particularly special about him... I happened to like him and that was it." - Desleigh Forster
"He's been a wonderful return. He's got a lovely bunch of owners in him. It’s really good."
Chapter And Verse has developed into a real flagbearer for Lyndhurst Stud's Rothesay, becoming his fourth stakes winner and his first Group winner with Saturday's win.
"The Rothesays are going really well. They just need a bit of time and patience," Forster said.
The son of Fastnet Rock is on track for a career-best season from his progeny, with 43 winners in the first four months and over $2 million in prizemoney.
