Spelled following a lacklustre last of six over 900m at Newcastle last November, the Paul Perry-trained Forecaster showed the benefit of a spell when breaking his maiden over 1100m at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Primed with three barrier trials, the 2yo son of Impending was given the run of the race by Willie Pike. From the inside barrier, he tracked the leader Flying Birds before easing out between that son of Flying Artie and Disoney.
Forecaster came clear to defeat Disoney (Dissident) by one and a quarter length with Never Fails (Hellbent) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
A $60,000 pinhook by Binalong Bloodstock from the Toolooganvale Farm draft at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Forecaster, was bought by Paul Perry Horse Training for $220,000 from the Newgate Farm consignment at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
That put him in the top five most expensive yearlings by his sire in 2021.
Bred by Jimmy Unwala, Forecaster is the fourth winner from six to race out of the stakes-winning Stormy Atlantic mare Street Storm (USA).
From the family of Darley Stud’s highflying Street Boss (USA), Street Storm (USA) has a weanling filly by Microphone and was visited Farnan last spring.
Forecaster is the fourth first crop winner for Impending. The dual Group 1 winning son of Lonhro stands at Darley Victoria in 2022 for a fee of $22,000.