Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Forest King will return at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, July 18, in the 1200-metre Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap. Trainer Tom Charlton views the late-season two-year-old race as a guide to the gelding’s level and spring prospects.
The Canterbury winner has not raced since finishing seventh behind Warwoven in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes in March. Warwoven later ran competitively in the Golden Slipper, giving the performance sound form.
Readers can follow Bailey Kinninmont’s Flemington breakthrough bid, while Racing New South Wales provides official coverage of Tom Charlton’s Rosehill runners.
Forest King Returns From Break
Dylan Gibbons will ride Forest King from barrier five as the gelding begins his second campaign. His two-start debut preparation produced a Canterbury victory before the move into Group company.
“He came up a bit short in the Pago Pago. We gave him a break, and he looks to have come back nice enough,” Charlton said.
Saturday’s race should show whether Forest King belongs in stronger spring company or is better placed at a similar level. Tom Charlton believes the youngster has developed during his break but must prove himself under race pressure.
“He’s not the biggest horse, but he has improved, as you’d expect. And he’d need to.”
Roselyn’s Star Begins New Campaign
Roselyn’s Star also resumes in the 1100-metre Schweppes Handicap, with Zac Lloyd booked to ride. The five-year-old ended his best season by winning the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes at Rosehill in March.
“He seems to have come back very well, and 1100 metres at Rosehill suits him. He has drawn slightly awkwardly, but it’s a nice place for him to start.”
Tom Charlton has not settled on a spring target for Roselyn’s Star, although January’s Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast remains under consideration.
