Written by Bryan Littlely
Cover image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
It will be a case of a test of the mind and not fitness for Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) when the Cambridge-based gelding crowned New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s 3-Year-Old Horse of the Year on Monday night jumps in Saturday’s G1 Captain Cook S. at Trentham.
Part-owner and co-trainer Andrew Forsman, who oversees the athletic gelding's preparation with Murray Baker, says he cannot find fault with Aegon ahead of the race.
Andrew Forsman with Aegon (NZ) after winning the G1 Memsie S. | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“He is a fairly fit horse… we can’t really fault him,’’ Forsman said on Thursday. “He has done a bit of travelling and he has come through that really well. He handled it all really well.’’
Forsman said while Aegon was physically up for the challenge, there was consideration that mental fatigue could now be a factor, as the now 4-year-old bids to revisit the explosive form he showed in the New Zealand summer racing season this time a year ago.
The Sacred Falls (NZ) gelding, bred by Waikato Stud and purchased from its draft by Forsman at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka for NZ$150,000, burst onto the scene going undefeated in his first five starts, including winning the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas in November 2020.
Aegon (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Aegon’s most recent win came in the G2 Hobartville S in February at Rosehill Gardens and he beat only one home in the Golden Eagle at the same track on October 30. Forsman said there were good reasons behind his below-par Sydney campaign through the spring.
“The moment he was drawn wide for the Golden Eagle, it was going to be pretty tough for him. We pretty much knew our fate,’’ Forsman said. “It’s pretty hard to get back there and make ground.
“It looked a bad result but we weren’t too concerned.’’
“The moment he (Aegon) was drawn wide for the Golden Eagle, it was going to be pretty tough for him. We pretty much knew our fate.’’ - Andrew Forsman
He said Aegon had stood up to a couple of trips across the Tasman well and was 'super fit'.
“He hasn’t won for a little while but you have to consider that he’s raced in some very tough races. He hasn’t had the rub of green. He has had some excuses.’’
No excuses
With Aegon in great physical condition and with the ideal draw at barrier five for the Captain Cook S., Forsman says there now are no excuses for him not to show his best.
“He seems to operate best when he finds his spot mid-field and there’s good tempo in the race,’’ Forsman said.
Also in his favour is that he goes into Saturday's race off a five-week break and he is a horse that thrives fresh, having won four of four first-up runs.
Aegon (NZ) winning the G2 Hobartville S. | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“(Aegon) was flown home the day after (the Golden Eagle) and was home here 24 hours later,’’ Forsman said.
“It’s not a tough trip from here to Australia to be honest. They do it pretty well.
“He spent 10 days in the paddock and that’s fine as he is a fairly fit horse. He has had one quiet trial over 900 metres at the beginning of last week and that’s all.
“We can’t fault him physically. Mentally, he’s been through a bit and he might be a tired horse. That’s what Saturday is about… to check that with him.’’
“We can’t fault him (Aegon) physically. Mentally, he’s been through a bit and he might be a tired horse. That’s what Saturday is about… to check that with him.’’ - Andrew Forsman
Leith Innes - who partnered with Aegon for three of his five wins, including the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas, the G2 Hawke's Bay Guineas and R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic - is back in the saddle for the Captain Cook S.
