Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Race Images
Cambridge-based trainer Andrew Forsman’s hot streak shows no sign of slowing during the spring carnival and his hot-streak shows no sign of slowing, with 3-year-old Devastate (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) taking out Thursday’s G3 Wellington S. at Otaki.
Devastate’s win was Forsman’s eighth stakes triumph this season, with four of them in Australia and four in his native New Zealand.
Forsman had a red-letter day on October 15, notching a treble from three runners at Caulfield, including a brace of Group races, while Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) landed the G1 Livamol Classic at Hastings.
Devastate had finished runner-up first time out at Otaki in late September and subsequent wins at Matamata and Tauranga had him primed to claim the 3-year-old feature.
The gelding also successfully defended the stable’s title in the race, with Forsman, in partnership with Murray Baker, producing White Noise (NZ) (El Roca) to score 12 months ago, and he later won the Listed Gingernuts Salver and was a creditable seventh in the G1 New Zealand Derby.
Devastate holds a nomination for March’s G1 New Zealand Derby, but the more immediate focus will be on the 3-Year-Old Classic (formerly named the Karaka Mile) to be run at Pukekohe on January 21.
“We’ll get him home and give him two weeks in the paddock and then get him ready for the Karaka Mile fresh-up,” Forsman said.
“We’ll get him (Devastate) home and give him two weeks in the paddock and then get him ready for the Karaka Mile fresh-up.” - Andrew Forsman
“After that, we’ll go to the Guineas races and then hopefully on to the Derby.”
Devastate made all under visiting Irish jockey Joe Doyle, who chalked up the first stakes success of his New Zealand stint.
“There was no tempo in the race and we always thought we would be right up on the pace. It wasn’t going to be ideal, but he was good enough to get away with it,” Forsman said.
Sheez Dominant (NZ) (Vanbrugh) sat behind the leader and was brave to the line in second, while Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) grabbed third.
Sheez Dominant (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
Doyle, who only arrived in New Zealand a matter of weeks ago, was full of praise for Devastate and his trainer.
“It’s fantastic. All credit to Andrew Forsman and his team, I was on the best horse in the race,” he said.
“Credit to the horse. He went out and did it the hard way by making the running. Andrew just said not to fight him and he picked up all the way to the line.
“When we turned for home, I felt them getting close but I had so much horse underneath me, I never really thought I would get beaten.
“I am very grateful to everyone who has put me on and long may the success continue.”
“I am very grateful to everyone who has put me on and long may the success continue.” - Joe Doyle
Bred by Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan, Devastate was purchased out of Carlaw Park’s draft at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1) by bloodstock agent Bruce Perry for NZ$160,000. The gelding’s ownership group is James Chapman’s, Jamieson Park.
Devastate is from the Pins mare Passion Cut (NZ), who Chapman bought last year for NZ$40,000 via gavelhouse.com, and the unraced mare is from the famed Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}) family.
Passion Cut has a Proisir colt entered for the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). Catalogued as Lot 415, the colt will be offered by Jamieson Park.
Earlier, the Listed Levin S. was taken out by Hold The Press, handing Vinery Stud’s Press Statement his fourth stakes winner.
It was the first black-type victory for the 5-year-old mare, who was bred by Gerry Harvey.
Hold The Press was offered by Baramul Stud at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale (Book 1), where she was bought by Terri Rae for $35,000.
Hold The Press | Image courtesy of Race Images
The mare is from two-time winner Asset Rain (Encosta De Lago), who is a three-quarter sister to G1 Emirates S. hero Titanic Jack (Encosta De Lago) and a half-sister to Listed winners La Lagune (Danehill {USA}) and Make Me A Miracle (Flying Spur).
Trained by Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, Hold The Press was ridden by Lisa Allpress.
“It was a very good win. It was a huge thrill for the owners, and I am just rapt for them, she will be quite a valuable broodmare for them now,” Benner said.
“It was a very good win. It was a huge thrill for the owners, and I am just rapt for them, she (Hold The Press) will be quite a valuable broodmare for them now.” - Johno Benner
“She won dominantly, which was a pleasant surprise. I thought we were a good place chance, she was fit and going well, but I didn’t think we would be able to beat Butler.”
Hold The Press held a 2.5l margin on the line, with Sanibel (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) second and Old Town Road (NZ) (El Roca) third.
