Racing: Ton of work to do after 100 mark

By Michael Guerin

NZ Herald·

7 Apr, 2019 05:00 PM4 mins to read

Madison County (2) storms into second place behind Angel Of Truth in the A$2 million Australian Derby. Photo / Getty Images

Andrew Forsman didn't have long to enjoy one of the most important milestones of his career.

Because while he brought up the 100th stakes win (Group or listed race) in New Zealand in appropriate Group 1 fashion with Nicoletta at Te Aroha on Saturday, by that stage the job was only half done for the day.

And for Forsman and training partner Murray Baker, the job is anything but finished for the season.

In just seven years of training with Baker, Forsman reached the 100 mark for stakes wins in New Zealand, with plenty of other, even richer victories in Australia courtesy of horses like Mongolian Khan, Turn Me Loose, Bonneval and Jon Snow.

Forsman was thrilled to reach the mark at the highest level as not only did the brave Nicoletta deserve a Group 1 victory to seal her broodmare career, but her owner Lib Petagna has been a huge supporter of the stable and may have provided more of those 100 stakes winners than almost any other owner.

"So winning for those reasons were very satisfying and it really caps her (Nicoletta's) career," said Forsman.

But while Nicoletta was still cooling down, Forsman and Baker had two horses racing in the Chairman's Handicap in Sydney, while a couple of hours later they finished second in the A$2 million Australian Derby with Madison County.

"I thought he was great, coming from where he did for second," says Forsman. "The winner won like a good horse and we beat the rest of them so you couldn't say he didn't stay the Derby trip.

"For a horse who has had a few little interruptions to this campaign because he was nearly sold, he has ended his campaign on a high and had a great season."

With stablemate The Chosen One storming from last into fourth as New Zealand horses filled placings second to fifth in the Derby, Baker and Forsman have two serious Group 1 horses for next season.

"They can have a break now and Madison County could even be a horse for a race like the Golden Eagle next season."

Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman Photo / Darryl Sherer

While Nicoletta's win came in the last Group 1 race of the New Zealand season, the Baker-Forsman stable still have some black type left to chase and even one more stakes win would provide them with a milestone every bit as important as the 100 mark Forsman reached on Saturday. The win was also their 20th at stakes level for the season, equalling their previous best set last term, and they set themselves the lofty goal of setting a new personal best earlier this season.

With their ability to produce good late-season two and three-year-olds who are able to perform even when the tracks get wetter, it would take a foolish punter to bet against them breaking their record with nearly four months of the season to go.

Also on the unfinished business list is retaining the national premiership, which they lead by one over Jamie Richards, who at one stage had a 13-win break on them.

With Richards and Te Akau starting to spell plenty of their stars the premiership should be a foregone conclusion but then again, Richards all but conceded defeat months ago yet is still very much in the race.

Still the $1.11 being offered by the TAB bookies on Baker-Forsman retaining their title will ultimately prove to be a winning bet as even after their special Saturday they were straight back to work winning the first race at Pukekohe yesterday. Which is why horse trainers rarely get to enjoy their special milestones. They are too busy chasing the next win.