Forsman has Good Oil for Mornington
Tough New Zealand stayer Good Oil has delighted transTasman trainer Andrew Forsman ahead of the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday.
The consistent galloper – top four in nine of his past 10 starts – placed second in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) last month.
The form line has already been franked — to a point.
Auckland Cup winner Mahrajaan failed in the Sydney Cup last Saturday, but pulled up lame in the off-hind leg.
However, third-placed Mark Twain has booked a ticket to the Melbourne Cup since, with a slashing win in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington last start.
Good Oil could secure a Caulfield Cup entry with a win at Mornington, before a bid for Melbourne Cup qualification in The Andrew Ramsden in May (2800m) at Flemington.
“I guess a negative for him is coming back off two miles but he will be going into it a bit fresh,” Forsman said.
“It will be a little while (six weeks) since he last raced, he likes to jump and put himself on pace, which at Mornington will be an advantage.
“He’s going to get improvement with the run, we brought him over working towards the Andrew Ramsden.”
Good Oil has yet to win beyond 2000m, but placed third three starts back in the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m).
Good Oil is a $26 chance with TAB for the Mornington Cup.
First Immortal ($5) heads an open market from Strawberry Rock ($6.50), Little Mix ($7), Deny Knowledge ($8), Future History ($9) and Nereus ($9.50).
Good Oil has drawn perfectly, barrier one, with Billy Egan booked to ride.
“It doesn’t matter too much, he drew wide in the Auckland Cup (barrier 16 of 18) and did a heap of work early,” Forsman said.
“Sat outside lead and still boxed on gamely for second, he is a very tough horse, I don’t think the draw matters very much.
“With Deny Knowledge lining up, she will probably set up the tempo anyway, we’ll take a sit somewhere in behind that.”
Deny Knowledge has also drawn ideally in barrier four, which should allow her to find the front and dictate the race.