Racing: Bright future on the cards for well-bred colt

Trainer Andrew Forsman. Photo /Warren Buckland

Time will benefit the well-related Sahar, who will make his debut at Matamata today.

The son of Iffraaj and Valpolicella is a half-brother to the Group Two winners Vavasour and Catalonia, who raced in Australia as Vilanova, and will step out for the first time in the Paul Jones 1200m.

"He's a nice horse who trialled really well," said Andrew Forsman, who trains the colt with Murray Baker.

"If he wins it will be on sheer ability. He'll be a much nicer three-year-old, but we like to give them a run at two and I'm sure he'll perform very well."

Sahar has had two trials and finished third at Matamata in the spring and more recently he won a 1000m heat at Taupo in the hands of Jonathan Riddell, who will take the reins today.

Riddell will also partner Smiling More for the stable in the Lowe Schollum Jones Insurance Brokers Handicap (1600m).

"We thought he would have gone a bit better last time out, we have to keep him as fresh as we can and he might have needed the run," Forsman said.

"He's promised a bit, but he's had a few issues along the way."

Smiling More has a win and five placings from his 12 appearances and finished third at his latest outing at Avondale where he was first-up after a nine-month break.

Riddell's other ride for the stable is the resuming Miss Freelove in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) while Michael Coleman will partner Mamba, a last-start third, in the Matamata Saddlery 2000m for Baker and Forsman.

Meanwhile, plans are undecided for the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) placegetter Milseain.

"We'll keep her ticking over and see how she is in the next few days," Forsman said. "She won't be going to Sydney though and she'll be much better next time in."

A sister to the multiple Group One winner Werther, Milseain has also placed in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic (2000m), the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) this preparation.

Stablemate Marcellina, who finished sixth in the Oaks, will race on but where has yet to be confirmed. "She could go to Awapuni on Saturday [for the Manawatu Classic] or maybe the Warstep Stakes," Forsman said.

- NZ Racing Desk