In preparation for the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings this Saturday, trainer Andrew Forsman is optimistic about Mustang Valley's chances, despite the change in ground conditions.
The talented daughter of Vanbrugh has made a name for herself on heavy tracks, securing two spectacular Group One victories in such conditions.
Last year, she triumphed in the weight-for-age feature on a testing Heavy 10 surface, leaving her competitors trailing by five and three-quarter lengths.
Her recent success in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) occurred on similarly heavy ground, where she prevailed by over a length.
Notably, all six of Mustang Valley's career victories have come on heavy tracks. However, the ground at Hastings, initially rated as Heavy 8, has improved to a Soft 5 due to a fine and warm week.
Forsman remains confident, stating, “She's effective on drier tracks too, particularly once she gets up over a bit more distance.
“The wet ground obviously brings her into contention a bit more over those shorter trips, but once she's up beyond a mile in this sort of company, I think she's absolutely fine on top of the ground.”
Bookmakers concur with this assessment, making Mustang Valley a $2.30 favourite to become only the third back-to-back winner of the Group One Livamol Classic since it gained that status in 1996, following in the footsteps of Princess Coup (2007 & 2008) and Melody Belle (2019 & 2020).
Forsman praised her recent performance.
“She was very good in the Arrowfield.
“She got out of the gates well, Joe (Doyle, jockey) put her in a good position, and the heavy track obviously suited her a lot better than a few of the others in the race.
“She was quite dominant in the end.”
With Mustang Valley in excellent form and the benefit of a recent race under her belt, Forsman is confident in her condition leading up to the Livamol Classic.
“Everything's been great with her in between times. She's pretty fit now, with the benefit of that trip and run under her belt. We haven't had to do heaps with her.
“She had a really good gallop on Tuesday morning, and I think she's right on target.”