Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten did her 2018 Caulfield Cup chances no harm with a dominant display in winning the Group 2 $250,000 Bisley Workwear Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick today.
Unforgotten, above, is likely to head to the 2018 Caulfield after winning the Chelmsford Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Unforgotten settled just worse than midfield and looked like being held up for a run in the straight but once Hugh Bowman found a gap, the Chris Waller trained mare exploded through to record a very impressive win.
Today’s win as Unforgottent’s second run back since winning the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
At her first 2018 Spring Carnival appearance Unforgotten finished sixth to Winx in the Group 1 $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 18 but Waller said that his Oaks winner is very unlikely to clash again with the his stable’s super star.
Waller is yet to map a definite Spring Carnival program for Unforgotten who is likely to head to the Group 1 $5m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 20.
“(Caulfield Cup) Sounds pretty good,” Waller said.
“We will run with it for today. See where she fits in. See where the weights settle.”
“There are so many options in the Spring. I could have gone Epsom and Cox Plate with her bar for Winx. That is what we did with Winx and that was the making of her career. She won’t be taking on Winx I can tell you that.”
“She is very special. She showed that in the Autumn and the Oaks was very special in itself. That was great at the mile.”
Punters were worried in the early stages of the straight when they saw Bowman looking everywhere for clear galloping room on the $3.80 favourite, but let out a huge cheer when the Fastnet Rock mare burst through to secure a one and quarter lengths win over Ace High ($21) with the winner’s stablemate Libran ($41) running on from the back to find third position.
Bowman was aboard Unforgotten for her Australian Oaks win and was pleased to be back on her for the win today.
“She just looks magnificent, it’s lovely to be back on her, obviously she raced against Winx a couple weeks ago and it was a real eye catcher, finishing late over a distance that was too short and I am sure Chris will have plenty of options for her,” Bowman said.
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