Despite making his fourth start, the Chris Waller-trained Forged still has a bit to learn about racing.
Confidently backed off the strength of third placed finishes at Sale and Sandown, the three-year-old son of Exosphere led at every call under Damian Lane to open his wining account in a 1200m maiden plate at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.
Despite running out in the straight, Forged had enough in hand to defeat the first starter Award Me (Shamus Award) by with the favourite Masako (Real Impact) back in third.
Waller stable representative Jo Taylor said the strong wins may have been a factor in Forged running about in the straight.
“It was a good tough effort in not ideal conditions,” Taylor said.
“Especially considering that he led them up and he had no cover from the wins at any stage.
“There’s not much that fazes him at home, he does everything that is asked of him. He definitely conserves his energy for the race.”
Forged was purchased by Hawkes Racing for $280,000 from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
That makes him the second most expensive yearling by his sire Exosphere, the former Darley stallion, who covered his first book of mares at Oaklands Stud in 2021.
Bred by HP Thoroughbreds, Forged made one start for the Hawkes stable, finishing last of 14 at Sale in June before being transferred to the Chris Waller stable.
The victory will be welcomed by HP Thoroughbreds who offer a full-sister at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. (lot 709).
Runner-up Award Me stuck to her guns at her career debut.
The daughter of Shamus Award has a half-sister by Sacred Falls in the Sledmere Stud draft at the Inglis Classic (lot 413)
Forged is out of the Wanted mare Real Desire whose dam Forest Finch is a half-sister to Group III Missile Stakes winner Captain Bax and Listed Sapphire Stakes winner Snippets’ Lass the dam of Snitzel, Hinchinbrook and Viennese and granddam of Private Eye, Arcaded and Rathlin.
After slipping in 2020, Real Desire was covered by Deep Field last spring.
