New York state of mind triumphs
MURRAY Baker and Andrew Forsman have tentative Group One plans for the powerful mare New York Minute.
The champion trainers are being lured by the ultimate goal at Hawke’s Bay where the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) will open the carnival on September 1.
‘‘Murray and I have spoken about that, we might just keep her fresh and maybe run her in the Foxbridge Plate before that,’’ Forsman said.
They took charge of the strapping mare for this preparation after she had been a multiple black type placegetter for former trainer Ilone Kelly, whose family race the daughter of Iffraaj.
New York Minute was a runaway winner at Trentham in her first appearance from her new quarters and at Tauranga yesterday she produced a gallant performance to add the Listed Woburn Farm Tauranga Classic (1400m) to her record.
‘‘She had trained on really well and she’s a big girl and not the easiest to keep sound,’’ Forsman said,
He gave credit to Trina Riddell, who moved north with jockey husband Jonathan from Awapuni last year to work for the stable in a pre-training role, for the part played behind the scenes.
‘‘Trina and Jonathan have done a lot of work with the horse,’’ Forsman said.
New York Minute sat behind the pace before she was into the clear to improve 600m from home and, while headed at the top of the straight, she rallied strongly to win by three-quarters of a length.
She spearheaded a stable trifecta with Deals In Heels finishing second and Tomelilla third.
‘‘Winning a stakes race is the main thing,’’ Forsman said. ‘‘We’re rapt with how they all performed.’’
New York Minute was partnered by Lisa Allpress, who has ridden her in all six of her seven career wins.
‘‘She was exceptional today TRISH DUNELL considering that the track wasn’t as wet as she likes,’’ she said. ● First impressions of Te Toro Pearl have counted for nothing.
The daughter of Bullbars did little early on to encourage trainer Jon Miller, but it’s a completely different story now.
Te Toro Pearl finished sixth on debut and hasn’t been beaten since with success at Tauranga yesterday in the Sanpellegrino Premier (1400m) her third consecutive victory.
‘‘When I first got her I nearly sacked her, but she has kept improving all the time and she’s a nice filly now,’’ Miller said. ‘‘Not many can win three in a row.’’
‘‘She’s just kept showing something extra. I thought she was under pressure at the top of the straight after being three wide, but she kicked away nicely in the straight.’’ EL Luchador’s performance at Tauranga yesterday is likely to force a change of plans for the six-year-old.
The gelding was being groomed for a jumping career but a dour performance to win the Orora Kiwi Packaging Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) will more than likely put a temporary halt to that.
“He was going to head for the maiden hurdle [at Hawke’s Bay] next week, he’ll probably get a reprieve now,” trainer Mark Brooks said.
El Luchador has showed promise over fences and was placed in a hurdle trial at Cambridge before he resumed on the flat at Te Rapa where he finished sixth in the hands of Michael Coleman.
“It was a good run at his last start and Michael was keen to stick with him so that gave me a bit of confidence,” Brooks said.
“He’s a pretty honest sort of winter galloper.”
El Luchador settled midfield and one off the fence before he improved 800m from home and swung wide into the straight.
He got to the front 200m from the post and got the better of the favourite Rodrico, who finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) before an unsuccessful Hong Kong stint resulted in him joining Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s champion stable.
El Luchador is part-owned by his breeders Fran and Faye Drummond, who stood the stallion El Hermano, a brother to the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner El Segundo, until he succumbed earlier this year to hoof problems.
Adriatic Pearl made up ground from the back of the field to take third money from the local hope Roger That.
Meanewhile, in-form rider Jasmine Fawcett is transferring her apprenticeship to Matamata trainer Toby Autridge.
The 24-year-old, who is currently indentured to Jim Collett, will continue her breakout season from her new quarters as from tomorrow.
“This will be new to us and our first apprentice,” Autridge’s wife Debbie said. “Jasmine is very eager to learn more and while we’re a smaller stable, she will be able to ride trackwork for as many other trainers as possible.”
Fawcett posted her 47th winner for the season at Hawera on Friday.