Winning Horse: Mr Maestro (Nz)

3yoC Savabeel (Aus) - Let Me Roar (NZ)(Rip Van Winkle (Ire))

7 starts - 2 wins 1 third 1 fourth $75840

Black Type Placings

3rd LR Pukekohe Staphanos - Champagne Stakes 1600m (2022)

Other Wins

1st Avondale Auckland Alarms 2Yo 1300m (2022)

No Other Placings

Race Result:

1st: Mr Maestro (Andrew Forsman/Damian Lane) - $5.50

2nd: Kapakiri (Chris Waller/Brett Prebble) - $4.60
3rd: Major Beel (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Tim Clark) - $2.05 Fav

Winning Time: 1:56.33 Last 600m: NA

Margins: 1-¾ Lengths x 1-¼ Lengths

Winning Trainer: Andrew Forsman

On today’s effort: “Obviously we brought him here with staying races in mind, but I was just a little bit nervous with the heavy track conditions today. He hasn’t raced for a month, so going to 1800 metres I thought it was a tough effort.”

On whether he’s a Derby horse: “There’s still a fair bit to go between now and then but hopefully he can continue to improve.

“We’ve got a few options, we haven’t really pencilled anything in yet, we could even consider dropping back to the mile and having a go at the Guineas.

“I’ll just see what Damian has to say, but there’s plenty of good options for him.”

On him as a horse: “He’s certainly well bred and obviously pedigree takes you a long way, now it’s up to him but he’s just continued to improve and he really for the first time today looked like a proper racehorse.”

Winning Jockey: Damian Lane

On teaming up with Andrew Forsman: “I’ve had a good bit of luck with Adrew over the past few seasons when he was in partnership with Murray Baker and now he’s out training in his own right it’s good to pair back up.”

How he handled the conditions: “He was good. We weren’t sure coming into the run how he’d handle them but I thought to myself midrace he’s just getting through it no worries, so it was just going to be a question of whether he run the trip out and he ticked that box nicely.”

Should they go to the Guineas: “Probably not to be honest. He’s just that tier below, but while he’s up and going I certainly wouldn’t talk them out of it if they wanted to have a go, but he’s probably that tier below.”