Snitzel colt Meritable is likely to be the only Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) representative for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
He booked his passage south for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored feature with a last-start second behind the unbeaten Pareanui Bay (NZ) (Lonhro) in the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Labour Day Monday.
“He was very good and just got left in front a fair way out, which was frustrating, and a very good horse ran over the top of him and they obviously put a gap on some pretty handy horses,” Forsman said.
Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) finished fifth in the Sarten and is likely to stay closer to home for the rest of his preparation.
“We’ll make a call on Turn The Ace in the next day or two, but probably leaning toward not sending him, there are plenty of other good options for him up here,” Forsman said.
