The Cambridge-based duo produced Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) to triumph in the Listed Buffalo & Co Champagne S. and 45 minutes later stablemate The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) came out and put away his rivals in the G3 Cellarbrations Frank Packer Plate.
Baker and Forsman subsequently also claimed top honours in the G2 Valachi Downs Championship S. back at Ellerslie with Lord Arthur (Camelot {GB}), a half-brother to the stable’s multiple Group 1 winner and New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Lord Arthur as a yearling
The Chosen One had turned in an almighty effort in the G1 Australian Derby to come from the tail of the field for fourth and he again gave his opposition a start, but it mattered not and he finished relentlessly to over-power them all.
“I thought his was the run of the race in the Derby. The only niggling concern here was the track and the way it was playing, a little bit on pace,” Forsman said.
“I thought his was the run of the race in the Derby.” – Andrew Forsman.
“The sectionals were solid enough and he did nothing early on and was always entitled to finish it off.”
Rider Blake Shinn urged The Chosen One forward 700 metres from home and they cornered four wide to be in the hunt before letting down strongly for a convincing victory at the expense of Dealmaker (Dundeel {NZ}) and Purple Sector (Pins).
“When I legged him up, Blake said to me he’s more of a 2000 metre horse than 2400 and he was sharp enough,” Forsman said.
The stable has all but ruled out another Derby campaign in Queensland.
“He’s a quality horse who has just kept improving. He could go to Brisbane, but I’m not sure that’s best for him.” – Andrew Forsman.
“He’s been up a long time and done a fair bit,” Forsman said, “He’s a quality horse who has just kept improving. He could go to Brisbane, but I’m not sure that’s best for him.”
The Chosen One as a yearling
Shinn was delighted to be able to get a consolation prize for the connections of The Chosen One.
“The prize-money was significantly less, but it’s good to get a win at Royal Randwick,” he said.
“The Derby was a little bit frustrating. He was the victim of the wide barrier and had to take him back.
“The prize-money was significantly less, but it’s good to get a win at Royal Randwick.” - Blake Shinn.
“I thought arguably his run was the best in the race. He came back in distance here and we made another searching run and he did the job nicely. He’s a lovely horse.
“I feel getting him to the outside is best. He’s not an overly big horse and I think he appreciate some room.”
Bred by brothers Joe, Martin, Tony and Ray who have remained in the ownership syndicate, The Chosen One is a grandson of the dual Group 1 winner The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Savabeel, sire of The Chosen One
He now looms as a leading prospect for the Melbourne spring carnival and may well be accompanied there later in the year by Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}). The 2-year-old was runner-up on debut and comfortably went one better in Saturday’s Listed Champagne S. at Ellerslie.
“He’s a staying horse and that’s what OTI Racing try and secure.” – Murray Baker.
“He’s a staying horse and that’s what OTI Racing try and secure,” co-trainer Murray Baker said. “We were confident he’d go well over the mile.
“He might be a middle distance horse in the spring, maybe we’ll get him to Melbourne.”
A $100,000 Inglis Sydney Easter purchase, Quick Thinker is a son of Acouplamas (Al Maher) and a half-brother to the Group performer The August (I Am Invincible).
It is also the family of the G1 Victoria Derby winner Blackfriars (Danehill {USA}) and his G1 South Australian Oaks winning sister Larrocha.
