Australian Derby Possible for The Chosen One

Media Release - Saturday March 30

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable's four-pronged attack on Saturday's Group III Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni paid a handsome dividend when they emerged with the quinella in the event.

The Chosen One - Race Images Peter RuberyPunters were of the opinion that the Cambridge operation would provide the winner of the race as they installed royally-bred Tavistock filly Spring Delight as favourite ahead of her stablemate, The Chosen One.

As it panned out that judgement proved spot on with Spring Delight hitting the front halfway down the Awapuni straight before succumbing to the powerful late burst of The Chosen One who finished strongly from a mid-field position in the hands of rider Troy Harris.

The Chosen One was having his first start since copping a battering during the running of the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), with the performance giving his connections food for thought about a lightning raid across the Tasman to contest next weekend's Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick.

"We will have to have a think about that (contesting the Australian Derby)," Murray Baker said.

"If he was to go to Randwick, we would have to fly him over on Tuesday.

"I was confident of a big run today (though).

"I thought they all had a show as they were fit horses and had run well with their previous form.

"It's always good to come back and race (and win) here."

Baker was also delighted with the performance of Spring Delight who was backing up from an impressive victory against the older horses over 2100m at Tauranga last weekend.

"She (Spring Delight) had won well at her last start," he said.

"She had a good draw and got a nice run.

"It was a good effort, especially for a filly.

"We'll have to have a think about where we go next with her."

Owned by a large group that includes his breeders, Joe, Martin, Ray and Tony Dennis, The Chosen One is by Savabeel and is the first foal of outstanding South Island racemare, The Glitzy One, who won eight races and was stakes placed on multiple occasions. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Savabeel Blueblood Wins G3 Desert Gold
A copybook ride by Opie Bosson paved the way for promising filly Showbeel to add a valuable black type success to her career record when she took out the first feature race at Trentham on Saturday, the Group III New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m).
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Mo'Unga Looking to Bounce Back
Trainer Annabel Neasham is looking forward to stepping out Group One winner Mo’unga in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, where she is expecting to see an improved run from the entire.
Probabeel Chasing Karaka Million History
High-class filly Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) will shoot for a slice of history at the Karaka Million twilight race meeting at Ellerslie on January 25.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Probabeel Shows her Class
Superstar three-year-old Probabeel proved a class above her age-group rivals when she made a winning start to her summer campaign over 1400m at Awapuni on Saturday.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.