Startling performance hard to Ignore
Lightly raced three-year-old Ignored produced one of the day’s highlights when she overcame a tardy start to win against the older horses at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Savabeel filly was expected to be prominent in the rating 72 1600m event, but looked to have blown her chances when coming out of the starting barrier awkwardly and losing five lengths to the rest of the field.
Rider Darren Danis didn’t panic as he allowed his mount to find a steady rhythm before latching on to the back of the pack with 700m to run. Angled towards the inner in the home straight as the field fanned out in front of her, Ignored took full advantage when the gaps opened closer to the rail to win by just under a length in a stunning performance. Co-trainer Andrew Forsman said he thought the filly’s chances were gone when he saw her miss the start.
“When you’re up against the older horses you need everything to go your way and when she missed away, I was pretty sure she was out if it,” he said. “I guess it helped when they all fanned wide as it gave her the chance to pick an inside run and save some ground, but she showed plenty of grit and some good acceleration to get up and win.”
Forsman isn’t sure of the plans going forward for the filly who races in the colours of owner and co- breeder, Waikato Stud. “I had a quick talk to Murray (Baker) about whether she might be one to take to Brisbane, but he wasn’t sure as she’s not nominated for anything over there at this stage,” he said. “I guess we will just play it by ear and see how she does before making any plans as I don’t think she is a filly who will really cop wet ground so if the tracks pack up, she might be best heading out for a spell.”
One member of the Baker Forsman team that more than confirmed he is on track for the Brisbane three-year-old features was Zed gelding Bobby Dee, who also produced a strong-staying effort to score over 2200m in rating 82 company. “He was very good as he had to sustain a long run and he stuck to his task well,” Forsman said. “It’s hard for the three-year-olds against those battle-hardened stayers and there were horses in the field that have been running in open-grade races, so to win as comfortably as he did was good to see.
“He is on track for Brisbane where his main aim is the Queensland Derby (Group 1 2400m).” Stablemates Mental Telepathy and Artiste also performed with credit when finishing third and fourth respectively with Forsman advising Artiste could be heading to the spelling paddock while Mental Telepathy is a possible Group 3 Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) contender as long as the weather holds, and the tracks remain firm.