Sherwood Forest arrows into Guineas frame
Cambridge galloper Sherwood Forest showed he will be a force at Group One level next month, when he stormed home to take out the $80,000 War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton yesterday.
The powerful Fastnet Rock three-year-old has been touted as a serious contender for the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in a fortnight, and his admirers would have been well satisfied with his latest performance.
Settled well back by rider Troy Harris after missing away slightly at the jump, the Tony Pike-trained galloper was still spotting the leaders a conservative six lengths as the field approached the home bend.
Harris peeled Sherwood Forest to the centre of the track, where a few huge bounds carried him to the front, before he stalled off local stablemates Chuck A Luck and All About Magic to score a comfortable one-length victory.
Pike stable representative Dean Williams was delighted with the run as a final lead-up to the upcoming G1 challenge.
‘‘It is fair to say I was a bit nervous when he was slow away,’’ Williams said.
‘‘Troy got him some cover and then plenty of clear air and he was a touch too good for them.
‘‘We are down here now, he is well and we know he loves the mile.’’
TAB bookmakers responded by tightening Sherwood Forest into an $8 second favourite for the 2000 Guineas behind fellow northern raider Catalyst, who heads the market at a quote of $1.15.
Later in the programme, lightweight New Zealand Cup (3200m) candidate Chief Sequoyah boosted his chances of gaining a start in the Riccarton feature when he led all the way to capture the $50,000 Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (2000m).
One of the team sent south by Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh earlier in the spring, Chief Sequoyah had placed in rating 65 company at his most recent start, but took the rise to the open grade in his stride as he led all the way in the hands of rider Sam Weatherley. Weatherley rated the Redwood five-year-old to perfection as he dictated proceedings from in front, before putting his rivals under pressure with 600m to run.
Clear by three lengths turning for home, Chief Sequoyah kept up
‘‘... Iwasabit nervous when he [Sherwood Forest] was slow away.’’ Stable representative Dean Williams
a powerful gallop to score from a fast-finishing King Of The Dance, with Zentessa also dashing late to snatch third.
Chief Sequoyah will receive a handicap re-rating for his victory yesterday, which should lift him in to position to make the final cup field on November 16.