Warmonger form: Andrew Forsman filly on backup into Group 1 Queensland Oaks

Andrew Forsman will deploy filly Moonlight Magic on the quick backup in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks after she beat everything except dominant winner Warmonger in last Saturday’s Queensland Derby.

Kiwi trainer Andrew Forsman has set his sights on Group 1 glory with Moonlight Magic, seven days after his filly beat all the boys bar one in the Group 1 Queensland Derby.

Moonlight Magic got the closest to Derby destroyer Warmonger, admittedly beaten by 10.4 lengths as Forsman’s filly finished runner-up in last Saturday’s Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

But she beat the rest of the boys easily.

And finishing a strong second to Warmonger is no disgrace, considering the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained gelding is now a $15 chance for the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

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MOONLIGHT MAGIC has come through her brave run in the @Racing_QLD Derby in great order and will accept to contest the Oaks this weekend 🌙 🌌 pic.twitter.com/2Pdt6mLs0y

— Forsman Racing (@Forsman_Racing) June 3, 2024

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Moonlight Magic will face some classy rivals when she takes on the likes of fellow Kiwi Molly Bloom and exciting favourite Scarlet Oak in Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks when she steps back 200m in distance to the 2200m trip of the Oaks.

But Forsman says Moonlight Magic has come through her brave run in the Derby in fine fettle and can give Saturday’s Oaks at Eagle Farm a serious shake.

“Warmonger was in a race of his own last Saturday but my filly was pretty dominant against the rest,” Forsman said.

“I thought it was a great run. The rain-affected track and the pattern of racing on the day did play into her hands better than most.

“But I think the Oaks is a winnable race for her. There’s obviously the two ones who have performed at shorter distances and who are racing in good form – Molly Bloom and Scarlet Oak – they are clearly the benchmark of the fillies so far.

“Moonlight Magic now has to step up to their level, but I’m confident she can.”

WARMONGER ABSOLUTELY CRUSHES THEM IN THE @ladbrokescomau QLD DERBY! 🤯@blake_shinn and @MickPriceRacing take a bow! #QLDisRacingpic.twitter.com/lc35KQ26AL

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) June 1, 2024

Forsman last week put the writing on the wall that Moonlight Magic would be a force to be reckoned with in the winter carnival.

He said Moonlight Magic was his Derby smokey and he struggled to split the filly and stablemate First Innings, who at the time was more fancied in Derby betting markets.

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While Moonlight Magic finished second in the Derby, First Innings was back in seventh and will now be spelled.

Moonlight Magic has never raced on the seven-day backup in her nine-start career.

But Forman indicated he would be unlikely to be an issue heading into the Oaks.

“She hasn’t backed up before,” Forsman said.

“But she has had a lot of racing and a lot of travelling though.

“She has seemed so bright and well since the Derby. And she had such a good hitout on Saturday, so she won’t need to do much this week.

“She will go there on fresh legs.”

Originally published as Warmonger form: Andrew Forsman filly on backup into Group 1 Queensland Oaks