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Mustang Morgan fresh-up into Derby
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • April 3rd, 2025 1:30 pm
Photo: KWRI
Things haven’t gone quite to plan with Mustang Morgan in the Australian leg of his preparation, but trainer Andrew Forsman is hopeful of a bold showing in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick nonetheless.
Following his fourth placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) behind Willydoit last month, Mustang Morgan flew to Sydney with the plan of running in the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday, a race Forsman has had plenty of success in the past, winning two editions (Jon Snow in 2017 and Quick Thinker in 2020) when training in partnership with Murray Baker.
However, those plans were unfoiled with wet weather in Sydney, which led to his withdrawal from the race and its subsequent transfer to Tuesday, which Forsman felt would have been too tight of a turnaround ahead of Saturday’s Derby.
While unable to get an Australian run into his charge ahead of the Derby, Forsman has been pleased with Mustang Morgan’s work ahead of the weekend and said he has him as fit as he can ahead of the elite-level assignment.
“It hasn’t gone to plan. We did really want to have that run last Saturday but couldn’t really risk running him on a Heavy track,” Forsman said. “As it happened, it would have been an even shorter back-up and still quite a testing track at Rosehill.
“It’s not how we wanted it to unfold but we have put as much work into him as we can.”
Mustang Morgan will jump from barrier 12 on Saturday, with Craig Williams aboard, and TAB bookmakers currently rate him a $41 winning chance in a market headed by Aeliana at $3.30, while New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit is the second elect at $3.70.
“The draw is not ideal, a bit closer to the rail would have been nice, but we are hoping we can get a similar beginning to the New Zealand Derby, work across and put himself in a forward position,” Forsman said.
“He (Craig Williams) is a big-race jockey, so I am sure he has got a plan in-mind.”
Forsman will also head to Randwick with staying mare Positivity, who will contest the Gr.2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m).
The Ben Kwok-raced four-year-old has drawn barrier 15 for Saturday’s contest, continuing a frustrating run of draws across the Tasman.
“She has just had no luck at all with wide draws this preparation. She was four wide with no cover last start and she has drawn pretty poorly again this weekend,” Forsman said.
“But up to 2600m should suit and hopefully she gets a bit of luck in the run this time.”
Positivity is out of favour with the bookies, currently sitting at $61 with the TAB, with the market dominated by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Alalcance at $2.80.
