Champion international trainer Luca Cumani will be out to extend the unbeaten European run of Australian bred mare Hunter Forward on Friday.
Hunter Forward, a daughter of Galileo, has raced twice in England for Cumani and she has impressively won on both occasions.
The exciting staying prospect, who was originally sold at the 2008 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale by her breeder, John Andrew’s Alwyn Park Stud (pictured above with staff from the 2008 Perth Sale).
Perth horsewoman Suzanne Forrest and her partner Murray Ward took a shine to the filly and they purchased Hunter Forward as a yearling.
“She was just the most beautiful filly,” Forrest said. “We thought she was the filly of the sale and bought her for $68,000.”
“She was with Michael Pateman early on and he had big wraps on her. She was very immature but Michael did a great job with her, getting all the basics right.”
The filly was then purchased by Simon O’Donnell and Terry Henderson’s OTI syndicate and she was transferred to David “Butch” Bourne in Victoria.
“Early on over in Victoria she won a trial and she only had a few starts over the short trips and she had a win.”
“When Luca was down for the Melbourne Cup last year he had a look at Hunter Forward and liked her and it was then decided to send her to Europe,” Forrest noted.
That decision has been a fruitful one so far with Hunter Forward winning both her English starts to far – at 1800 and 2200 metres.
On Friday the mare will attempt to go three from three when she contests the “Have a Heart” Trophy (2400m).
“Her efforts so far have been a great thrill for everyone involved in her career – particularly John Andrew who bred and sold her over here in Western Australia.”
“And John would be pleased know he has Hunter Forward’s dam (Ooh Gorgeous Me) in foal to Galileo’s classy young son Discorsi,” Forrest noted.
Hunter Forward is one of three winners produced by the once raced but beautifully bred Williamstown mare Ooh Gorgeous Me.
Ooh Gorgeous Me is a half sister to stakes performers Strawberry A.O.K., Strawberry Girl, Wheatland Lady and Wheatland Special.
Strawberry Girl is the dam of three stakes winners – Danroad, Newtown Jet and Tippitaka. Wheatland Lady is also the dam of a stakes winner, Strawberry Storm.
Galileo’s progeny have been starring aroung the world – including the likes of Frankel, New Approach, Red Rocks, Igugu, Cape Blanco, Soldier of Fortune and Rip Van Winkle.
