A late-season two-year-old race is planned as a key indicator for Forest King’s future, with trainer Tom Charlton keen to ascertain the gelding’s spring racing potential.
The gelding will contest the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday, marking his return after a two-start debut campaign which included a win at Canterbury in February.
Stepping up to Group level in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), Forest King ran respectably, finishing seventh behind Warwoven, who later proved competitive in the Golden Slipper.
Charlton indicated that the young horse has returned in strong condition and is adequately prepared for a bold showing at Rosehill.
“He came up a bit short in the Pago Pago. We gave him a break, and he looks to have come back nice enough,” Charlton said.
“We’ll see what level he gets to this ‘prep’.
“He’s not the biggest horse, but he has improved, as you’d expect. And he’d need to.
“We’ll get him racing and he’ll find where he’s going to be competitive, whether it’s in better grade or similar grade.”
Dylan Gibbons will steer Forest King from barrier five, while Zac Lloyd partners the stable’s other runner, Roselyn’s Star, who is also resuming in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m).
The five-year-old is coming off his most consistent season to date, culminating in a Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) victory at Rosehill in March, and he generally performs well fresh.
“That was a really good win for him. He’s building a nice profile,” Charlton commented.
“He seems to have come back very well, and 1100 metres at Rosehill suits him. He has drawn slightly awkwardly, but it’s a nice place for him to start.”
Charlton has not yet finalised spring plans for Roselyn’s Star, but the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January is a potential target.
“There is no real target. There are plenty of races in the spring,” he stated.
“I probably have, in the back of my mind, the Magic Millions in January. He qualifies for that, so we’ll probably look to take him back there at some point.”
Those interested in the racing action can explore online bookmakers for the latest odds.
