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Glorious double for top Cambridge trainers

The decorated partnership of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman savoured a double dose of Group One glory in double quick time on Saturday.

Charmont(outer) winning the Fiber Fresh Nz T'bred Breeders
Charmont(outer) winning the Fiber Fresh Nz T'bred Breeders Picture: Trish Dunell

The Cambridge trainers produced Charmont to win the Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa and a little more than 10 minutes later stablemate Bonneval romped home in the Australian Oaks at Randwick.

“That’s 20 Group One races in Australia now for Murray and his record in travelling horses to win big races is fantastic,” said Forsman, who was in Sydney seven days ago to celebrate Jon Snow’s Gr.1 Australian Derby victory.

Charmont has been another consistent black type performer for the operation in recent seasons and Forsman said she was a worthy Te Rapa winner.

“She really deserved that, she’s been Group One placed before and she’s competed well in black type races all of her career.”

Ridden by Matt Cameron, the Bob Emery-bred and raced Charmont settled behind the pace and once a gap presented itself in the straight the daughter of High Chaparral finished powerfully to collar the favourite Thee Auld Floozie.

“I’m rapt for Bob and I just wish he was here – he’s at home a bit crook,” Forsman said “He’s a great owner and he’s just let us do our own thing with the mare.”

Future plans have yet to be confirmed for Charmont and her barn mate Mime, who hit the line well for third, although the Gr.2 Travis Stakes on April 29 is an obvious option.

“We’ll see how they come through this race and then talk to the owners,” Forsman said.

“Mime might have been a bit dour second-up and she’s possibly looking for 2000 metres now.”


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