Match fitness could give Forbidden Love an edge when she races second-up in the $750,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick tomorrow.
Sydney’s first Group 1 of the season has attracted a crack field, however, 9 of the 11 runners will be resuming from winter spells. That was reflected in early TAB markets when the daughter of Vinery sire All Too Hard firmed into a $4.80 second-favourite behind Godolphin stallion Anamoe ($2.70).
Forbidden Love won second-up in the Guy Walter Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) at Randwick in February before completing an autumn hat-trick in the Canterbury Stakes (Gr.1, 1300m) and George Ryder Stakes (Gr.1, 1500m).
She disappointed first-up in the Missile Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) on August 6 but trainer Michael Freedman believes there were excuses. “We only gave her one barrier trial and it was switched from turf to the polytrack. I think she looked after herself that day and that’s been evident in the improvement she’s shown since the Missile.
“I waited a week before going ahead with a start in the Winx Stakes. She has come on really well and looks in great nick.” The delay meant regular rider Hugh Bowman committed to last season’s Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes winner Fangirl (Sebring) allowing Rachel King to take the reins on Saturday.
Forbidden Love (4m All Too Hard – Juliet’s Princess by More Than Ready) excels on rain-affected tracks and Randwick was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday. Showers are predicted for Friday before a mostly sunny Saturday.
Bowman stays aboard promising All Too Hard gelding Pizarro in the last race at Randwick. Pizarro is trained by John O’Shea for Champion Thoroughbreds and, like Forbidden Love, he has firmed from $7 into a $5.50 second favourite for the Darwin Turf Club Hcp (1200m).
Meanwhile, the spring programs for All Too Hard’s Group 1 winners Behemoth and Alligator Blood are on hold following eventful starts to the season.
Behemoth is unlikely to be given a chance to complete a hat-trick of victories in the Memsie Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m) at Caulfield on August 27. He’s having a quiet week or two recovering from a sore back after rearing at the start and nearly knocking out jockey Paul Gatt in the Spring Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Morphettville last Saturday.
Last-start Stradbroke Hcp (Gr.1, 1400m) winner Alligator Blood is also in limbo after the NSW and Victoria racing authorities refused the nominations of his managing part-owner Allan Endresz. There has been mainstream press speculation that Alligator Blood may continue racing overseas.
Far from the madding media crowd, All Too Hard continues to do what he does best at Vinery. He has sired 377 individual winners in his first five crops at a 68% strike-rate and he’s already Top 5 for winners (11) in the first sires’ premiership table for 2022-23 published by Arion Pedigrees this week.
All Too Hard remains the best value-for-money sire in the Hunter Valley at a $38,500 (inc GST) service fee. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
