Trish Dunell
Top trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman had a busy time with runners last week, but are easing off the accelerator this week.
“We had a lot of runners and had a good week so it’ll be good to be a bit quieter this week,” Forsman said.
“We won’t have as many runners, but we’ll have some good chances.”
The partners picked up three wins at Pukekohe last Saturday with Mongolian Legend, Love Affair and Maygrove (Gr.3 Ssangyong Counties Cup), as well as significant black-type placings with Francaletta and Coldplay when second and third respectively in the Gr.2 NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m). And last Sunday Capucine chimed in with a debut win.
The stable’s main mission this weekend will be the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki on Friday with the promising Karisto.
The son of Written Tycoon has had five starts for a win and four placings. He cleared maiden ranks two starts ago over 1400 metres at Te Rapa after three second placings and stepped up to Rating 65 with a solid third over the same course and distance.
“That was a good run last time and he wasn’t beaten by much,” Forsman said. “He should be a good chance on Friday.”
Baker and Forsman are going into the week’s racing with a clear lead on the New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership. They have 37 wins, nine more than their nearest rivals, Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.