Promising European stayer Forever You, these days in the Warwick Farm stable of Annabel Neasham has bright prospects in the Tozer Air & Electrical Class 1 and Maiden Plate (2350m) at the Newcastle race meeting on Saturday. The 4yo mare, a daughter of champion sire Galileo has only had three starts – all in Australia. She debuted in a 1350m Beaumont track Maiden and the mare stormed home from near last to get within a length of the winner on Boxing Day.
Second up at Wyong on January 8, Forever You contested a 1600m Maiden and the performance was an eye catcher. The mare was last on the home turn and down the short straight she sprouted wings to finish third, less than a length from the winner.
Last start at Kembla on January 22 Forever You struck a heavy track and stepped up to a more suitable 2000m, and she bolted in by 2.8 lengths. Her breeding suggests the 2350m won’t be a problem and the soft draw should allow the mare to settle in the first half of the field.
Neasham’s other Newcastle runner is the former Victorian Read My Future, which won his only start on the Ballarat synthetic by 5 lengths in May last year. Since joining the stable he has had three trials including two in December at Warwick Farm. On Saturday he contests the Tozer Air & Electrical Class 1 Handicap (1500m).
John O’Shea’s classy filly Ruinart is well placed in the Tozer Air & Electrical Fillies & Mares Maiden Handicap (1400m). In September the 3yo turned in an outstanding performance when she came from last on the turn to finish third. First up at Canterbury on January 21 Ruinart finished powerfully when runner up at the night meeting. She has drawn nicely, and she will appreciate the longer trip and long straight.
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have two well fancied runners at Newcastle. Flying Crazy a talented 3yo was only beaten 1 ¼ lengths first up in a very strong race at Randwick on January 22. Last preparation he won a Kensington Maiden on debut and followed that up with placings at Hawkesbury and on the Kensington track. The spacious track and long straight are ideal.
The Ryan/Alexiou partnership has the New Zealand bred Adulting in the Tozer Air & Electrical Class 1 Handicap (1500m). The mare was an easy first up winner on this track on January 19 on a soft track. A firmer track would be more suitable and so is the longer trip. Adulting is raced by the Hunter based Australian Bloodstock.
Expect improvement from Scone galloper Steplee in the final event, the Tozer Air & Electrical Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m). In the Rod Northam stable, Steplee has had four starts for two wins and a second. He has won races by big spaces at Scone and Muswellbrook in July and he had no luck when midfield at Rosehill first up on January 8.