Queensland trainer Desleigh Forster is eager for her promising three-year-old, Kickup Rocky, to experience racing away from home in the upcoming Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle this Saturday.
The gelding has emerged as an early favourite for the 1600-metre event designed for three-year-olds. He holds an official handicap rating that is 12 points higher than his closest competitor, among the 11 horses entered for the race.
Forster, who was the trainer behind Apache Chase’s victory in the 2022 Kingsford Smith Cup, indicated that Saturday’s race presents an ideal opportunity following two successful open-grade wins at Eagle Farm and Doomben during this preparation.
“Everything’s good, I’m happy with where he’s at,” Forster stated.
“There was probably no superstars in the race at Doomben but it was a good effort with the big weight. He’s always shown very good ability, things just went a bit pear shaped in the JJ Atkins but he’s matured and developed into a really nice horse.”
The decision to run Kickup Rocky in the Group 1 JJ Atkins was a clear indicator of Forster’s high regard for the horse. She was also content to debut the $130,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase in Listed company as a two-year-old.
Although the Magic Millions 2YO Classic was deemed too soon for him, Forster fully intends to return to the Gold Coast after his run at Newcastle on Saturday.
“The Spring Stakes just fits in perfectly, his main goal is the Magic Millions in January so he can have a trip away, he’ll go back to Embrook to his normal spelling farm on Sunday and have a few weeks there,” Forster explained.
“Then we’ll get him ready for the Magic Millions, 1400 metres in the Guineas. He’s matured a lot better now, and I reckon in the Winter Carnival we’ll probably see a fully matured sort of horse.”
Kickup Rocky, who is the current $2.20 favourite in all-in betting, will be ridden by his regular jockey Daniel Moor. He is positioned ahead of Prince Of Verona, an unbeaten galloper trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, who is priced at $4.
Punters looking for the best odds on the Newcastle Spring Stakes can explore a range of Australian betting sites.