Next NSW Race

Latest News

Forsman Cautious About Unbeaten Aegon's Sydney Debut

By Ray Hickson

It seems if star Kiwi three-year-old Aegon is able to maintain his unbeaten run at his Sydney debut on Saturday his co-trainer Andrew Forsman will head into the autumn bullish about the Group 1 targets he has ahead.

Trainer Andrew Forsman (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Forsman, who co-trains with Murray Baker, isn’t doubting Aegon’s talent but is keeping his expectations on the cautious side going into the Group 2 $400,000 City Tattersalls Club Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

The gelding has won four from four, including the Group 1 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November, and that record has been respected with TAB listing him as the $3.90 favourite on Wednesday.

“I think the form around him is good enough, he’s not an easy watch but he gets the job done without putting a big space in them and looking like a superstar,’’ Forsman said.

“He has good ability and he will measure up it’s just at what distance.

“Initially we thought the Randwick Guineas is an ideal race but when you get beyond a mile it becomes a bit easier as the sharper ones drop back to sprint trips.

“We’d love to be able to get him to a Derby, whether he’s a real stayer I don’t know but maybe he could get away with it on ability.”

Aegon stands as the $6 equal favourite with TAB for the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 6, $8 favourite for the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) two weeks later and is a $15 chance in next month's Group 1 Australian Derby so those markets are set for a shake up.

He comes to Sydney on the back of a game win in the Karaka 3yo Million (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 23 where he held off Jamie Richards’ Amarelinha who confirmed the form by winning at Te Rapa last weekend.

Forsman likens the horse to Madison County, also a 2000 Guineas winner, who finished second to Angel Of Truth in the 2019 Australian Derby.

Hugh Bowman rides Aegon on Saturday and Forsman said expect him to settle not a lot better than midfield in the run.

“He’s not brilliant out of the gates, his natural pattern or where he seems comfortable is midfield or back of midfield,’’ he said.

“I don’t think he is ever going to be right up there contesting the pace.

“He’s coming off a bit of a freshen up after running at a mile. We’ve tried to keep him as fresh as we can so the niggly thing is dropping to 1400m against some pretty sharp horses.”

Last year’s Australian Derby winner Quick Thinker returns to Sydney in the NSW Jockeys Association Handicap (1400m) where he will get conditions to suit after failing on harder tracks in Melbourne in the spring.

He’ll be lumped with 62kg but Forsman said the four-year-old has enjoyed a trouble free build up and while he doesn’t expect a result on Saturday he is anticipating a positive return.

Of course as a spring three-year-old he won the Ming Dynasty over 1400m at Rosehill on a heavy track so he’s more than comfortable in the surrounds.

“He’s had a really good preparation, I don’t think we could have done it better, and if he gets give in the track I think he can win a decent race,’’ Forsman said.

“That’s why we’ve taken him to Sydney. The weight will be the key thing first-up off a break against race fit horses, you’d think he would struggle a little bit but it wouldn’t surprise if he ran a cheeky race.

“He’s right where we want him to be, I don’t think I’ve seen him in the sort of form as he is now.”

The Chosen One is the third of the Baker/Forsman horses to land in Sydney this week and he’ll be aimed at the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting

The Latest Racing News

TAB Everest & King Charles III Runners - Veterinary Inspections Completed

All horses engaged to start in the TAB Everest and King Charles III Stakes at Royal Randwick tomorrow, 18 October ...
Read More

Friday Focus - A Snapshot Of Saturday Racing

By Nick Berney ROYAL RANDWICK – BEST BET: Race 4 # 7 – PERFUMIST She was impressive last start, doing ...
Read More

Hayes Adamant Ka Ying's Ready For The Everest Pressure Cooker

By Ray Hickson If trainer David Hayes feels pressure as he prepares the world’s highest rated sprinter Ka Ying Rising ...
Read More

Veterinary Inspections Of The Kosciuszko Runners - Completed

All horses engaged to start in The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick tomorrow (18th October) have, during this week, been the ...
Read More

Randwick Winners - Tips For TAB Everest Day (Saturday 18th October)

By Ray Hickson Race 1 - 12:30PM BISLEY WORKWEAR REGINALD ALLEN QUALITY (1400 METRES) 8. Miles Of Glory is one ...
Read More
Loading...
Racing NSW Apps
View
Mobile Version
Contact
Forms
Information
Industry Links