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).
