New Zealand trainer Andrew Forsman is banking on residual fitness proving pivotal for his galloper Aegon in his return run at Sandown.
The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on Saturday will be Aegon’s first-up assignment, as it will be for four other runners in the 10-horse field.
Aegon has not raced since finishing second at Group 1 level in New Zealand at the start of December and was afforded only a short break in the paddock.
Australian racegoers got a glimpse of Aegon’s best form last spring when he won the Group 3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield before a wide draw dented his hopes in finishing fourth to Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
Aegon won his first five starts, including the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill in February 2021, but went winless until his Moonga Stakes success.
Forsman took over as sole trainer of Aegon following Murray Baker’s retirement last year and said Aegon was quite forward in preparation for Saturday’s race.
“He had a freshen up after he got home from Melbourne and then a little break after running at Trentham,” Forsman told RSN.
“He’s quite a fit horse and thrived with the little breaks that he had, and I think he is forward enough.
“There are a few that are coming off a genuine break that maybe will improve with the run, whereas I don’t think we will be using fitness as an excuse.”
Forsman said the run in the Champions Mile showed the trainer Aegon was up to Group 1 company in Australia, finishing just over a length-and-a-quarter from the winner.
“It was a shame he didn’t draw a barrier as he could have been a couple of spots closer,” Forsman said.
“I was rapt with the run, finishing only a length off those horses in that company and it proves he is right up to them at weight-for-age.”
Forsman said there was no firm plans until he sees how Aegon runs on Saturday, however he is hopeful of gaining a start in the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley next month.
“He’ll be out on Saturday to show that he is worthy to be in a race like that,” Forsman said.
