The dream of the Cup of Positivity is still alive

Andrew Forsman remains positive about the Melbourne Cup despite having to withdraw from the Caulfield Cup last Saturday.

The Kiwi mare was withdrawn from the competition on Friday afternoon due to a hoof problem, but Forsman is confident he is now aware of the problem and will be able to see the mare perform as early as Friday evening in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup with prize money $750,000.

“She seems to be fine, she did have a sore leg which she clearly bruised during her last gallop on Thursday morning, but her condition has improved significantly,” he said.

“We could wait until Saturday morning, but I don’t think that would be fair.

“You can’t do these races 95 percent right, and it was small enough to make a comfortable decision.”

Forsman is also considering running in the G3 JRA Cup and G3 Tesio Stakes, both over 2040m on Saturday, as well as the G3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) next Wednesday.

“Even with the slight setback, she hasn’t really missed any work so Moonee Valley on Friday night or the Bendigo Cup next Wednesday are more likely options than sticking to the 2000m,” Forsman explained.

The MRC Foundation Cup and SA Fillies Classic winner galloped at The Valley on Tuesday morning as part of a breakfast with the best with Tom Prebble in the saddle.

Forsman said if Almanzora’s daughter maintained her form at her next start, he would be thrilled to take her place in the Melbourne Cup.

“To be honest, at the start of the prep I didn’t think we could even consider the question, but where she sits in order, she has a chance to get in,” he admitted.

“So that’s a factor and maybe that’s why I’m leaning towards the 2400 or 2500 meter options.”

The positive is an $81 chance with Sportsbet on the Melbourne Cup.

In other stable news, Forsman revealed that Aegon will return home after his 12th-place finish in the Moonga Stakes.

He said the seven-year-old would have to freshen up a bit and likely have another start in New Zealand to determine his future.