Promising New Zealand juvenile filly Wessex scored her second career win when taking out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) at Pukekohe Park on Wednesday.
The daughter of Turn Me Loose won on debut last September before two unplaced stakes runs and trainer Andrew Forsman was pleased to see her back in the winner's stall.
“It was a good win,” he said.
“We know that she has got the ability there, we saw that in her first start. It was a matter of things working out for her and her getting a bit of confidence, which was good to see.”
Further stakes assignments are now in the offing for the rising three-year-old.
“We haven't thought too far ahead, it was just getting this one out of the way and hoping she ran well. We can now press forward knowing that she does handle these sort (heavy) of tracks.
“Stakes races are an aim, we just haven't worked out a path and how we will go about it yet.”
Wessex carries the colours of prominent owner Ben Kwok, who purchased the daughter of Group One performer Trepidation in partnership with Andrew Forsman out of Windsor Park's 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for NZD$150,000.
“He (Kwok) has been a huge help to me in getting going,” Forsman said.
“He has been a great supporter for a little while now. He entrusted (bloodstock agents) Bevan Smith, Andy Williams and myself to purchase Wessex at the sales, and he has let us in for a little bit of the ownership.
“He is great for racing and hopefully we can get a few more results for him soon.”
Forsman was also rapt for winning apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan, who rides regular track work for Forsman.
“It was great for Kelsey. She has turned up and done a lot of work for me, she has helped me out a lot,” Forsman said.
“She turns up early in the mornings and rides a couple before riding for other people. She has ridden at jumpouts for us and she has been great.
“She has got a great attitude and a great head on her shoulders for a young person. She has got a good style on a horse, and I am sure she is in for a big future.”
It was a successful day at Pukekohe for Wessex's sire Turn Me Loose, whom Forsman prepared in partnership with Murray Baker to win three times at Group One level.
The exciting Windsor Park Stud stallion sired two further winners – Me Liberez in the Betavet 1400 and Crazy In Love in the Haunui Farm 1400, while his three-year-old gelded sons Miscreant and Turnmeon finished close seconds over 1200m and 1600m respectively.
“As they mature and develop they seem to be hitting their straps,” Forsman said of the progeny of Turn Me Loose.
“We always thought he had the ability to leave that in his progeny and it is great seeing that come to fruition.”
More New Zealand horse racing news