Forsman and Grylls on fire in Central Districts

[Wandering Eyes]

Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman and jockey Craig Grylls proved a potent combination at Tauherenikau on Sunday, claiming three of the eight races across the afternoon.

Both were coming off the back of successful Saturday meetings, Forsman taking the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Pukekohe with Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) while Grylls rode a winning double at Riccarton including the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) aboard Platinum Attack (Santos).

Combining in the Central Districts, the pair took the first of their winning treble with Lassified (Stay Inside) in the LA Stud 2YO (1000m). A filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, Lassified had shown promise at the trials and started favourite in a compact field of juveniles, utilising her inside draw and good gate speed to find the lead in the OTI silks.

She travelled well throughout and kicked clear on straightening, holding a game Vahvay at bay in the closing stages to score by a long neck, more than three lengths clear of the third placegetter Tifosi.

“She’s a game little filly, we really like her,” Forsman’s Racing Manager Joe Walker said. “She’s a real professional.

“She jumped, used the rail and looked the winner then just wanted to do things wrong. I think she’s tough, she’s got a good attitude for it and plenty of upside.

“We’ll get her home and reassess things now, but we’re very happy to kick off with that.”

Their winning roll continued into the Lamb Peters Print MDN (1000m) with Nedelin (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom), a Cambridge Stud homebred having his second start after finishing fifth in a strong maiden at Te Aroha won by Avantaggia.

Grylls found a good position off the fence in midfield but had to come wide turning for home, giving pacemaker Falcrests Belle a decent headstart. Nedelin was inclined to lay in all the way up the straight but his class prevailed, coming over the top late to pip a fast-closing Alcaraz by a neck, with Falcrests Belle holding on for third.

“It’s a big thrill (to win for Cambridge Stud),” Walker said. “He did a lot wrong, but he tracked a decent speed, seemed to relax well and went Craig needed him most in that last furlong he put in.

“He does little in his work by himself to be honest, but he saves his best for trials and races. He’s competitive, he wants to be there and wants to do it.”

Forsman and Grylls prevailed in another tight finish to the Wrights Cabins and Construction R75 (1600m), with Privy Garden (So You Think) holding on by the barest of margins.

The mare was dropping back in distance being taken on and fading over 2100m at Trentham, having finished fourth in the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m) in the previous start. She led throughout on Sunday and looked to have it sealed in the straight, before a late rush from Manzor Blue and Diomedes forced a photo finish.

The result favoured the daughter of So You Think, earning a fifth win in 21 attempts and bringing her career earnings over $102,000 for the China Horse Club.

“That was an interesting last 100, she’d shaken them off and I thought she’d stolen a winning margin, but then just wanted to knock off the job,” Walker said.

“She’s better with a bit of sting out of the ground, she’s an autumn horse and we thought coming here today and dropping back to a mile, she’d be a very nice chance.”

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