Forsman holds strong hand at Otaki

Encouraged by a more favourable weather forecast for the lower North Island, Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman has opted to target Saturday’s Otaki meeting ahead of his local fixture the following day at Te Rapa.

And while not every one of his Otaki acceptors is expected to make the trip south following a downpour of nearly 40mm on Wednesday that pushed the track rating out to Heavy 8, Forsman is still optimistic of a worthwhile venture.

His team is headed by fresh-up specialists Force Of Nature and Kitty Flash in one of the two black-type races on the card, the Listed City of Napier Sprint (1200m). They will be having their first raceday starts since mid-December, but with the benefit of recent trials.

“This is the race targeted for both horses,” Forsman said. “They’ve both got very good fresh-up records and their lead-up preparations have gone to plan.

“I wasn’t that happy with Force Of Nature’s draw (16) when the fields came out, but it could actually end up not the worst to be out there.

“It’s nearly a month since he won that trial at Taupo, but he’s a horse that’s not easy to find the right race for and with such a good fresh record, we were happy to wait for this.

“Kitty Flash is the same, but she’s had two lead-up trials and is also ready to run a race. She finished third at her last start in the Swap Sprint (Gr.3, 1400m) at Te Rapa behind First Five and Tuxedo, which is very good form.

“She’s drawn well and will be on speed, I just hope they don’t swamp her late.”

With the downgrade in track conditions, Forsman is keeping an open mind whether to send his other black-type runner, Pacifico, south for the Listed NZ POTY@HB Spring Carnival Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m).

The Ardrossan gelding won his most recent middle-distance start at Ruakaka last June and was back in form when narrowly downing his previously unbeaten stablemate Elle Sourit, over 1600m at Te Aroha a fortnight ago.

“His form over ground is on better footing, which makes me wonder if 2200m on a heavy track might be stretching him, and combined with that his best form has been right-handed.

“The forecast for the next couple of days is much better, so we’ll weigh things up and then make up our minds.”

Forsman’s day at Otaki begins with Walkin In Memphis, a Too Darn Hot colt having his second start in the two-year-old 1300m.

“I like him, he’s a decent sort who’s going to be better with a bit more time, but if you can it’s good to get some racing and experience into them at two,” he said.

“I was happy with first-up run, when he ended up tracking the leader and then had to drag the others up. Even when they got to him, he still found the line and was beaten less than two lengths.

“He’s really improved with that run, he’s drawn well with Craig Grylls on, and I can see him going a race.”

Track concerns will decide whether Forsman’s remaining two Otaki acceptors line up. The first of those is Mad Max, who faces a significant drop back from open sprints at his last two starts to Rating 65, while he’s also prepared to wait on his Rating 65 1600m entrant Morning Cocoa, who followed her maiden win with a satisfactory fifth placing.

“They’re both well placed down there, but with the track like it is I’d be just as happy to wait on them,” Forsman said.

Forsman will have just one runner at Waverley on Friday, with Satono Aladdin filly Vanilla Storm lining up in maiden 1650m grade.

“That was the run of an improver last time when she didn’t have a lot of luck but still finished fourth. Up in trip will suit her and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her get some of it.”

Forsman reports that Elle Sourit, who was unbeaten in her first four starts before finishing second to Pacifico at Te Aroha, will start next in the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week.

“You couldn’t be disappointed with that run, she was well up in grade and the other horse has the deeper form, so it was still a good effort.

“The Easter looks an ideal race while she’s still rated where she is (81) and should get in on the right weight.”

*NZTR has notified that the path and timing of Cyclone Vaianu are being monitored in relation to Sunday’s Te Rapa meeting. Further updates will follow closer to raceday.