A late-season juvenile event is set to serve as a crucial gauge for Forest King, with trainer Tom Charlton aiming to pinpoint the gelding’s spring targets.

The gelding is slated to reappear in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill this Saturday. He commenced his career with a two-start campaign, notably securing a debut win at Canterbury back in February.

When stepped up to Group company in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), Forest King performed creditably, finishing seventh behind Warwoven, who subsequently contended strongly in the prestigious Golden Slipper.

Charlton indicated that the young horse has returned in good condition and possesses sufficient fitness to perform admirably 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 stated.

“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 is booked to ride Forest King from barrier five. Meanwhile, Zac Lloyd will partner the stable’s other entrant, 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, which concluded with a victory in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in March. He typically performs well when first-up.

“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 a spring program for Roselyn’s Star, though the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January remains a long-term consideration.

“There is no real target. There are plenty of races in the spring,” he said.

“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.”

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