Forsman seeking to replicate Karaka Millions success

Andrew Forsman has fond memories from the annual Karaka Millions meeting, and he is hoping to record some more when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday for the blockbuster twilight event.

The trans-Tasman trainer won the 2021 edition of the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) with Aegon, a horse he raced with the Zame Partnership, and trained in tandem with his mentor Murray Baker.

Now training in a solo capacity, Forsman will be seeking to double his tally in the $1.5 million feature this weekend where he will have a two-pronged attack courtesy of Fat Cat and Chilling Out.

Chilling Out has won her last two starts, after placing on debut at Arawa Park last month, and while she is one of the lighter raced three-year-olds in the field, Forsman believes she will be able to measure up to her more fancied rivals this weekend.

“She has been quite exciting right from the start,” he said. “I remember when she won a trial on the polytrack, she looked smart and everything she has done from then she has really kept improving. “

Fat Cat has won one of his eight starts to date and Forsman said the Written Tycoon gelding is a work in progress.

“Fat Cat is a horse we are still trying to figure out what he actually wants to be or do,” he said. “He is taking a lot of time to mature. 

“I thought his run was full of merit last start at Ellerslie (when fifth behind Chilling Out), he didn’t have many favours and the plan from a wide draw (9) will be to put him in the race a little bit more on the weekend. 

Forsman will also be represented in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) by Stromlinien.

By Almanzor and out of stakes winner Santa Catarina, Stromlinien was purchased by Forsman, in partnership with Andrew Williams, out of Elsdon Park’s Karaka yearling sale draft last year for $450,000, and Forsman said she is starting to live up to that price tag.

She won on debut at Ellerslie earlier this month after having just one prior trial, and Forsman believes she has the capability of being competitive on Saturday where she will jump from barrier nine with premiership-leading hoop Craig Grylls aboard.