Eleonora
Bruno Cannatelli - Ultimate Racing Photos
Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman was a happy man as he waited to board his flight home from Melbourne on Sunday morning following a successful day out at Caulfield 24 hours earlier.
He and senior training partner Murray Baker had plenty to smile about after classy three-year-old filly Eleonora showed she was right on target for her major spring mission, the Gr. 1 VRC Crown Oaks, with a comprehensive triumph in the Gr. 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes.
"She definitely got the rub of the green this time after being unlucky at her last start and put them away pretty comprehensively," he said.
"It was a top ride by Damien (Oliver) as he got cover when he needed it and produced her at just the right time as they swung for home.
"She showed an impressive turn of foot at that stage and I thought she had them well covered at the finish."
Forsman is now looking forward to the Oaks on the 3rd of November which the filly will tackle without another start before then.
"That was her final lead-up to the Oaks and provided she has come through it well we will be heading straight there," he advised.
"She has improved after every race in this campaign so it's now just a matter of keeping her ticking over until raceday."
Forsman was also philosophical about the performance of Victoria Derby candidate Highlad who finished well back in the Gr. 3 Ladbrokes Classic on Saturday.
"We had a plan to ride him with cover and have one shot at them but that all turned a bit pear-shaped when he jumped so well from his wide gate," he explained.
"He just wouldn't settle and over-raced badly so it was a bit of a forgive and forget run in the end.
"Damien came back in and said don't give up on him as he had no luck so we are still looking towards the Derby with him."
In the meantime the stable will attempt to add another victory to their impressive spring campaign when (La) Luna Rossa lines up in a Group Two three-year-old fillies race at Moonee Valley this weekend.
"She's come through her One Thousand Guineas run well so we will line-her up at Moonee Valley on Saturday," he said.
"We tried her with blinkers on in the Guineas but she didn't settle so they will most likely come off this weekend."
Forsman also reported that Turn Me Loose was progressing well and would most likely have a jump-out at Flemington later in the week while Saracino has been freshened after his brave Caulfield Guineas run and would tackle the Gr. 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200 metres on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington. – NZ Racing Desk
He and senior training partner Murray Baker had plenty to smile about after classy three-year-old filly Eleonora showed she was right on target for her major spring mission, the Gr. 1 VRC Crown Oaks, with a comprehensive triumph in the Gr. 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes.
"She definitely got the rub of the green this time after being unlucky at her last start and put them away pretty comprehensively," he said.
"It was a top ride by Damien (Oliver) as he got cover when he needed it and produced her at just the right time as they swung for home.
"She showed an impressive turn of foot at that stage and I thought she had them well covered at the finish."
Forsman is now looking forward to the Oaks on the 3rd of November which the filly will tackle without another start before then.
"That was her final lead-up to the Oaks and provided she has come through it well we will be heading straight there," he advised.
"She has improved after every race in this campaign so it's now just a matter of keeping her ticking over until raceday."
Forsman was also philosophical about the performance of Victoria Derby candidate Highlad who finished well back in the Gr. 3 Ladbrokes Classic on Saturday.
"We had a plan to ride him with cover and have one shot at them but that all turned a bit pear-shaped when he jumped so well from his wide gate," he explained.
"He just wouldn't settle and over-raced badly so it was a bit of a forgive and forget run in the end.
"Damien came back in and said don't give up on him as he had no luck so we are still looking towards the Derby with him."
In the meantime the stable will attempt to add another victory to their impressive spring campaign when (La) Luna Rossa lines up in a Group Two three-year-old fillies race at Moonee Valley this weekend.
"She's come through her One Thousand Guineas run well so we will line-her up at Moonee Valley on Saturday," he said.
"We tried her with blinkers on in the Guineas but she didn't settle so they will most likely come off this weekend."
Forsman also reported that Turn Me Loose was progressing well and would most likely have a jump-out at Flemington later in the week while Saracino has been freshened after his brave Caulfield Guineas run and would tackle the Gr. 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200 metres on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington. – NZ Racing Desk
