The Andrew Forsman-trained Single Red will be targeted at the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.
The talented daughter of Vanbrugh was back in action at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday for her first public outing since finishing third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) won by Ohope Wins on February 21.
That formline was franked following Ohope Wins victory in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) last Saturday and Forsman believes his charge will be much better suited to the reduced distance of the Queensland Oaks.
“She closed well for second in her trial yesterday behind To Cap It All and we weren’t too worried about the result, but it was still a pleasing outing and nice to see her stretch out as she did,” Forsman said.
“She’s come off a little freshen up after not having a race for a while, so we just didn't want to go to the races when she resumes too fresh and above herself.”
Raced by OTI Racing in conjunction with breeder Ben Kwok, Single Red quickly advanced from maiden grade in January to finish runner-up to Ohope Wins in the Davind & Karyn Ellis Classic (2100m) before her Oaks placing.
“She went to the paddock for a few weeks straight after the Oaks, which she needed as we asked a lot of her in a short space of time,” Forsman said.
“She just didn't quite run the 2400m of the New Zealand Oaks out as strongly as we would have liked, but it was still a very good run.
“She's come back a bigger, more furnished filly. She really has done well with the short break.”
Single Red will now step out in a three-year-old set weights and penalties race over 1600m at Te Rapa on April 25 as she looks to confirm her credentials for a trip to Queensland.
“If she runs well enough, we'll be off to Brisbane,” Forsman said. “The Queensland Oaks is a Group One over 2200m, which is why we've targeted it.
“I think it gives her a better chance of being competitive at that trip. In time, a mile to 2000m is going to be her sweet spot, but there are a couple of nice lead-up races in the Gold Coast Bracelet (Listed, 1800m) and the Roses (Gr.2, 2000m).”
Meanwhile, four-year-old mare Elle Sourit will have her first opportunity to claim black-type when she contests Saturday’s Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).
The daughter of Ocean Park tasted defeat for the first time in five starts when beaten a long head by stablemate Pacifico in an Open Handicap over 1600m on a heavy track at Te Aroha last start and has been patiently handled by Forsman.
“I think given how she's bred, she's always been quite a narrow, fragile type of horse,” he said. “Physically, she's only just starting to look the part, she's just one of those mares that have taken a bit of time to come to it.
“You can't really fault her formline. I thought she was unlucky not to have won last start at Te Aroha and one more stride, she probably wins.
“She's worked her way through the grades, and now she's up against some seasoned, proper open class horses in what will be a full field. She does tend to get back in her races, so it'll be a big step up and a good test for her on Saturday.”
With plenty of prizemoney and black-type opportunities locally, Forsman is in no rush to travel the emerging mare.
“I think we'll just concentrate on New Zealand black-type for now,” he said. “We’ll make sure she is up to that level, and then you'd love to think that in time there was a trip in her, that’s certainly what we'll be aiming toward.” – NZ Racing Desk
