Sarten duo headlines busy weekend for Forsman

[Wandering Eyes]

A two-pronged tilt at the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Monday is set to headline a busy weekend for the newest trainer inducted into New Zealand’s 1000-win club.

Andrew Forsman, who celebrated his 1000^th domestic success with Berry Brown at Matamata last Friday, will have runners at Ellerslie, Te Rapa, The Valley and Sale over the next three days.

That contingent includes Quondo and Virgo Viva in the Sarten Memorial, which is a key lead-up for the Gr.1 New Zealand Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 8 and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at the same venue a week later.

The Sarten will be the third career start for Quondo, who is rated a $10 chance in the TAB’s 2000 Guineas market. The Wootton Bassett gelding won on debut at Matamata on September 12, then ran a gallant second behind Sarten rival Magic Carpet in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa on September 27.

“That was a very brave run in the Guineas,” Forsman said. “He was caught wide without cover all the way and stuck on really well down the straight. I’ve been happy with him in between times, and if anything, I think he’s improved.”

Ribchester filly Virgo Viva is being thrown in at the deep end in only her second career start, having cleared maiden ranks on debut over 1300m at Taupo on October 10. The TAB offers a quote of $26 for her to win the 1000 Guineas.

“To win the way she did on debut was a good effort,” Forsman said. “The horse in front got away on her a little bit and she was still quite green. It was the first time she’s been off the bridle and really asked to quicken, and she did a good job.

“It was the run of a horse that’s going to get better and better with more racing. She’s up against more experienced horses on Monday and from a wide barrier (the outside gate in a 12-horse field), so she’s got a few things against her. But I think she’s up there with them on ability.”

Forsman’s other Te Rapa runners are Mary Shan, Kitty Flash and Hard Roca.

The Cambridge trainer hopes to see Mary Shan bounce back to top form in the Devan Plastics (1400m). She was an impressive first-up winner at Wanganui on August 30, then beat only one horse home as the favourite in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on October 4.

“That was a very testing heavy track, and unfortunately it was just far too deep at her,” Forsman said. “It was a real shame, but it was a race that we had to have a go at. I’m just hoping for better conditions at Te Rapa on Monday and a performance that’s more like what she’s capable of.

“Kitty Flash has been off the scene for a fair while. She went to Melbourne in the autumn and had a bit of an injury setback. We gave her time and she’s come back in great order.

“Hard Roca’s going well. He didn’t have any favours from a tough barrier last start but was very game. I think the 1300m will suit him on Monday.”

Forsman’s Ellerslie representative is Hinekaha in the Trackside.co.nz (1400m).

The daughter of Savabeel won twice last season including the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m), and she also placed behind Checkmate in the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie.

Hinekaha kicked off her four-year-old season in an unsuitable 1200m sprint at Ellerslie on September 20, crossing the line in fifth place and only 2.1 lengths from the winner.

“That was a really good effort first-up,” Forsman said. “It was just a bit short of her best distance and she peaked on her run a little bit.

“It’s been a long wait since then, trying to find a suitable race for her on a decent track. But I’ve been very happy with her at home. She’s been working up really well and is heading into Saturday in good order.”

Forsman is in no rush to make big plans with Hinekaha this season.

“With such a long time between runs, it almost feels like we’re starting her campaign over again this weekend,” he said. “I just want to get her back winning first, and then see where we get to from there. With these horses that show the ability that she did as a three-year-old, there’s always a period of finding your way with them in their four-year-old seasons.”

Forsman is also pleased with his multiple black-type winner Positivity, who will line up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Powerflo Solutions Tesio Stakes (2040m) at The Valley.

“I think she’s going really well in this preparation,” Forsman said. “Her last-start run for seventh in the Coongy (Gr.3, 2000m) might look a bit disappointing on paper, but she didn’t have all favours. She was posted wide, which is never easy at Caulfield, let alone when the rail is out 12m.

“She has to carry 59kg on Saturday and is giving a good amount of weight to some progressive horses, and she might be a bit more dour than some of them. We’re just going to try keeping her in mares’ company and seeing how she measures up.”

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