Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman will be looking to secure his first Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in his own right at Ellerslie on Saturday when First Innings contests the Trackside-sponsored feature.
Forsman has won the Classic on two previous occasions when training in partnership with Murray Baker, securing his first NZ Derby with Mongolian Khan in 2015, while Vin De Dance was victorious in the race three years later.
First Innings has shown plenty of potential in his four career starts to date, capped by his last start victory over 2100m at Pukekohe last week.
Forsman is confident in First Innings’ staying abilities, but admits he faces a stiff task this weekend up against $1.40 favourite Orchrestral.
“We haven’t had to do too much with him, he was a pretty fit horse going into it (last start),” Forsman told TAB NZ. “He has had three runs over ground now, so he has had a very quiet week since then.
“We have drawn well enough (7) and Orchestral has drawn out a little bit wider than us (9). In my mind, she will need to be very unlucky or have things not go right for her, to (not) be right in the finish.
“For us, we just need a good, evenly run race, and he will stay the 2400m.”
Co-owner Michael Hughes drew gate seven for his gelding at Tuesday evening’s barrier draw, and while he knows First Innings has a tough assignment to beat a short-priced favourite this weekend, he said it has been done in the past.
“I didn’t think they could beat La Crique, and she was a pretty short-priced favourite,” Hughes said. “I am pretty happy with the way things have gone. He will be fit enough and he will be running on.”
Meanwhile, Forsman was pleased to secure a slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Tuesday evening with his bid of $675,000.
“You wanted to be a part of it but there is also a point where they are value, and then you have to temper that with where we landed. We went slightly over budget on what we thought we would have to pay, but I am happy to have secured a slot,” Forsman said.
“Hopefully we can come up with one good enough.”
