Natalie Young understands if punters have dropped off Forgot You, but she’s confident they’ll see an improved version of the five-year-old in Saturday’s G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.
Finishing 14th of 16 in the G1 Railway Stakes wasn’t the ideal way to kick off your interstate campaign and not what Natalie Young, who trains in partnership with Trent Busuttin, had planned for.
The son of Savabeel settled back from barrier 16 in the Railway and stayed in that position throughout, beaten six-and-a-half-lengths with only Last Of The Line and Karli’s Karma behind him.
Young expected more from Forgot You, a dual Group 2 winner, who had a crack at the Railway Stakes after winning the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington last start.
Young is reluctant to make any excuses for Forgot You, but she can pinpoint to a couple of underlying reasons as to why he performed below expectations.
“On face value it was a little disappointing, but then he floated to Sydney, had a plane trip to Perth and then with the heat, it all just flattened him that little bit,” Young said to The Races WA.
“Then he had the wide gate and there wasn’t anything that was going in his favour.
“He is definitely better than that and it was a lot for a horse who is not used to that hot climate.
“And first time travelling in a new environment was a lot to take in.
“We almost thought about scratching him, but said at least he gets to run around the track.”
Forgot You was one of three interstate raiders who fared a similar fate in the Railway Stakes.
Roots for Chris Waller ran 10th and the Lindsey Smith-trained Tuvalu finished 12th.
Young is confident the real Forgot You will be at Ascot on the weekend and she’s prepared to rule a line through the Railway Stakes performance.
She said his work over the past fortnight has been spot on and has contributed to her growing confidence of a rebound in the Northerly Stakes.
“He’s enjoyed a nice week ticking over and had a nice sharp sprint up Saturday morning,” Young said.
“The rider was really happy with him and he’ll have his final workout tomorrow (Tuesday).
“He’s tightened up nicely, bloods are good and I think he’ll bounce back.
“Obviously he has to beat Zaaki, but hopefully he gets a better gate to sit around midfield and the step out to 1800m will be more his go.”
Before the barrier draw, Forgot is $26 in Tabtouch betting. Zaaki, a four-time G1 champion is the $2.20 favourite with online bookmakers.
Zipaway ($6.50) and A lot Of Good Men ($8.50), first and second respectively in the WA Guineas (1600m), are next.
Young and Busuttin have turned to local hoop Paul Harvey, a winner of 12 Perth Jockey’s premiership, to assume riding responsibilities on Forgot You.
“He’s got a lot of experience and I’m stoked we’ve got him,” Young said.
“He’s a great rider and a nice good strong rider too.
“It’s what you want for this type of horse and he knows the track well.
“I think it’s important that you have a Perth jockey and he’ll suit him really well.”
Harvey is one away from five Northerly Stakes trophies after guiding Old Comrade to dual wins, Modem and Megatic.
