Improved Single Red chasing Roses
Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman is pleased with the condition of talented three-year-old Single Red heading in to Saturday’s Gr.2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben.
Placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) won by Ohope Wins, the daughter of Vanbrugh enjoyed a freshen up before a good resuming win over a mile at Te Rapa last month.
She then travelled to Queensland and ran well when second to Nightline in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m), run-down over the concluding stages after dashing to the lead early in the straight.
“She came over here with improvement. We thought the Bracelet was a race we could win, but knowing that she would take good improvement out of it,” Forsman said from the Gold Coast.
“So we didn't quite get the job done, but she's trained on nicely and I think from when I last saw her, when she left New Zealand, she was just starting to turn in the coat a little bit. But she really has come right, and she's settled in really well to the environment over here.”
With no direct equine flights to Queensland from New Zealand, Single Red travelled via Sydney to the Gold Coast stables of Paul Shailer, with Forsman’s Assistant Trainer Joe Walker overseeing the filly.
“We didn't do a heap with her in the week leading into the Bracelet and that day out will have improved her,” Forsman said.
“We have targeted these races as when she ran in the New Zealand Oaks, she ran very well for third behind a couple of smart horses, but we felt maybe she didn't really run out the 2400m as strong as some others.
“I think the 2000m on Saturday and the 2200m of the Queensland Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m) will suit for sure.”
Jason Collett will ride the filly for the first time on Saturday and Forsman said the on-speed tactics seen at recent outings could be in question from barrier 14.
“I guess the only positive with where she is drawn is that Doomben’s had a lot of rain in recent weeks,” Forsman said.
“It's had a fair bit of racing, so who knows, after four or five races, being off the fence and down the middle of the track may be the place to be and then that'll determine our tactics.
“She is adaptable and my gut feeling would be that if we could just ride a nice, patient race and slot in somewhere with a bit of cover, then she could come with one run late as opposed to being the sitting duck.”
Bred by Ben Kwok, Single Red is by Windsor Park Stud resident stallion Vanbrugh and out of High Chaparral mare Sea Dweller, who is also the dam of Group Three winner Russian Alliance.
Kwok races the filly in partnership with trans-Tasman syndicator OTI Racing, with the filly carrying the latter’s distinctive colours.
Single Red is a $6 second favourite in a market headed by the Chris Waller-trained Chispa ($4.80). - NZ Racing Desk
Fawcett makes winning return
Matamata hoop Jasmine Fawcett has been itching to get back in the saddle on raceday after spending two months on the sidelines following a trackwork accident, and she made a winning return when given the opportunity at Cambridge on Wednesday.
Fawcett suffered serious injuries in the incident, including a brain bleed and fractured neck, but she is pleased to have made a quick recovery.
“I was galloping a horse in trackwork and another rider and horse walked out in front of me and I practically t-boned them, flipped and hit the ground face first and was knocked out and was ambulanced to hospital,” Fawcett said.
“I had a brain bleed and a fractured neck – I fractured my C7. I spent three days in hospital, which was pretty awful, but I am just grateful I was able to bounce back.”
Fawcett traded in the saddle for the couch over the proceeding six weeks, which she said was a frustrating experience, but she gradually made a return to horseback and was pleased to get clearance to return to riding in the last couple of weeks.
“The recovery mostly involved a lot of rest, I learned how to be a couch jockey,” Fawcett quipped.
“I don’t like being on the sidelines, so I took my recovery quite seriously and as soon as I got clearance I felt like I had enough fitness to return straight away.
“I had two concussion tests to pass, one was a physical concussion test and one was an IQ concussion test, and I passed both of those.
“I am very fortunate that I have a pony, so I took my pony to the track and cantered around the track and I was feeling pretty confident so I jumped a couple of jumps. From that I knew I was able to ride trackwork and I only rode trackwork for a week before I returned to the trials, and my first day back at the trials (on Tuesday) I rode nine horses.
“I was feeling confident in the way that my body had healed, so from that point on I was happy to take raceday rides.”
She had her first rides at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday and made a winning return in just her second ride of the day when partnering Anton in the Saddlery Warehouse 870 for trainer Glenn Old.
“Glenn Old is probably my biggest supporter and I have got a really good relationship with both the horse and Glenn,” Fawcett said.
It was a confidence-boosting result for Fawcett, who admitted to being naturally nervous with her return, but immediately felt back at home out on the track and was rapt to get a winning result.
“I was nervous, which is to be expected, but once you are out there and the goggles are on you just get on with it,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support I have around me. I am happy that people support me and trust me enough to put me on, and I am happy to deliver the results in return.”
Fawcett is hoping to continue her winning momentum into this weekend where she will ride at Ellerslie and Te Rapa, and she is particularly upbeat about her chances at Ellerslie on Saturday, including Pounce in the MyRacehorse 1100 and Fly My Wey in the JRA Trophy (1600m).
“I like my ride in the two-year-old race on a horse called Pounce for Wexford, I think highly of that runner,” Fawcett said. “From watching her trials and replay, I think she has got a heap of ability, so from barrier six, if we get a bit of luck in the running, I’d say we will be right there in the finish.
“I am also looking forward to riding a stayer resuming over a mile called Fly My Wey, I think he is a good chance fresh.” - Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Bellatrix Star to Bel Esprit
Comeback mare Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) took a step closer to a return to racing when stepping out in a track gallop between races at Seymour on Thursday.
The Mark Walker-trained mare is preparing for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on May 30 after only one start in 18 months.
In January last year Bellatrix Star suffered a potentially career threatening injury when she reared up when walking back to her stable, fell over, and fractured vertebrae in her neck.
The multiple Group winner and Group One placed mare had just one run when last of nine in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield but the Fortuna-owned four-year-old has pleased building into a new campaign.
“She is here for a good hitout today,” Assistant Trainer Ben Gleeson said.
“She has had the two jumpouts and we are very pleased that Seymour let us come here for a track gallop.
“She will have a good hitout ahead of kicking off in the Bel Esprit Stakes on Saturday week at Caulfield.
“She has done so well in the feed bin.She is a big heavy mare now and a real sprinting type. It is great to have Luke Currie aboard so we can get some good feedback as to where she is at prior to her resumption.” - NZ Racing Desk
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
🎥 Did you see?
Darryl Anderson reviews the New Zealand bred winners in Hong Kong on Wednesday 20th May.
