Four runners a possibility for Baker and Forsman in Australian Derby
The powerful stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman could have four runners in next weekend’s rich Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) after Weather With You and Mongolian Marshal performed with credit at Rosehill on Saturday.
Weather With You fought doggedly in the home straight to finish close-up in third in the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) with Mongolian Marshal just one place back in fourth. They will join stablemates Vin De Dance and Mission Hill in the blue riband staying classic with all four looking genuine chances to scoop the thick-end of the A$2million prize pool.
Co-trainer Andrew Forsman was delighted with the fight shown by both Weather With You and Mongolian Marshal, particularly the latter who hadn’t raced for four weeks.
“It was really pleasing to see how they went and it showed they are on target for the Derby,” he said.
“Weather With You was a big lift in performance as he hasn’t been going that well of late. I think the step up in distance suited him as he battled on very strongly and was coming back at the first two at the line.
“Mongolian Marshal was also very good as he hasn’t had a run for a few weeks. We know he will take real improvement out of the race.”
Forsman was also pleased with the progress that Vin De Dance and Mission Hill had shown since their first-up efforts in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas a week ago.
“Both Vin De Dance and Mission Hill have thrived since the Rosehill Guineas and their work has been first-class,” he said.
“They were in the same boat as Mongolian Marshal as they hadn’t raced since the New Zealand Derby so that run cleaned them both up nicely.
“We’re confident that all four horses will get a start although we won’t know for sure until the field is confirmed on Wednesday. You don’t know how many will go forward from the Rosehill Guineas or from Saturday, but you wouldn’t expect too many of those who finished out of the money to pay up.
“We know we have four fit horses and we’re looking forward to the race.”