IT HAS been a while in the works but Wagga sprinter Forever Newyork will finally get a crack at the Town Plate on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Forever Newyork has been aimed towards the $200,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m) for the past two years but for one reason or another, it has never eventuated.
He was one spot away from a start in 2019 as the third emergency and then injury forced him out of last year's event.
Wagga trainer Gary Colvin is rapt to finally have Forever Newyork in top shape for a crack at the feature sprint.
"This is the first time we've got him in the Town Plate," Colvin said.
"He's been balloted out before when he didn't have a high enough rating and now it's jumped up to a $200,000 race, I thought gee how am I going to get a run here.
"He's been off the scene for almost two years, on and off, trying to get him right. He had a hoof disease, had to cut it all the way. l It was a long haul to get it back, to get it to grow back and now I couldn't have him better."
Colvin is thrilled for the owners, who are all from Wagga, after the patience they have shown in nursing Forever Newyork back to his best.
"They're real racing people," he said.
"They love going to the races. They're all locals, Wagga people, and it's good to have a Wagga horse in it because I don't think there is going to be many Wagga horses in it going forward if they keep coming like they are.
"It will probably end up the bigger race. You only have to look at Santa Ana Lane a couple of years ago."
Forever Newyork drew barrier 12 and will have Jeff Penza in the saddle. Colvin could not be happier with the horse.
"He's absolutely flying. He's going really good," he said.
"I know it's a very, very hard race. But he loves Wagga, he drew out a bit, which is always a problem but he's ready to run a big race. I understand it's a very hard race, it's near a group three race.
"He needed that run the other day and I was very happy with it. Since then he's been bucking his brand off. It all comes down to getting a good run."
Colvin hopes to have 10 horses run over the two days of the carnival. Sizzling Cat will represent the stable in the $80,000 MTC Guineas - 3YO Benchmark 74 Handicap (1600m).
MORE SPORT NEWS
Colvin understands why Sizzling Cat is a $31 chance but believes he will run a good race.
"He didn't draw so well but I think he's crying out for the mile. I thought it was a very good run the other day but then again, it's a very, very hard race," he said.
"He's been crying out for a mile and I think he'll run the mile out. He's just got to beat the better horses.
"He's always on the improve. He's got upside about him. He could run up to 2000 and when you get a horse that can do that and still have a bit of a sprint at the end, it's bloody good.
"I've got a lot of time for him. He's a bit immature but I hope the last run will bring him on a bit. Last start he was ready for a mile but they sprinted a bit good for him. He was working home really good in the end but he was ready to run a mile there."
Kurocaine, who is the fourth emergency, and Monterey Zar are among his better remaining chances over the carnival.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters