Forbes tips: Trainer Terry Croft couldn’t be happier with Just A Brother as he strives for back-to-back Cup wins

Trainer Terry Crofts is confident Just A Brother is primed to defend the Forbes Cup crown he won in record time last year.

Hawkesbury gelding Just A Brother returns to defend his Forbes Cup title. Picture: Bradley Photos

Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft couldn’t be happier with his tough gelding Just A Brother who is on target to defend his Forbes Cup crown.

The son of Albrecht broke the track record in winning last year’s edition and while he opened a $16 chance with TAB Fixed Odds, Croft said he is going even better this time around and must be considered one of the main hopes.

“He is most definitely a big chance again,” said Croft.

“He has gone up a little bit in weight from last year but he is going well the horse and his work leading in the race has been very good.

“Clayton Gallagher, who rode him last year, is back on him and he is pretty keen on him.”

After his third in the Wellington Cup, Just A Brother was unplaced in his three runs before winning at Forbes.

Just A Brother takes the Forbes Cup and qualifies for the Big Dance!

Clayton Gallagher with a great display in the saddle for Terry Croft. pic.twitter.com/N8QLz1QsVJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 6, 2023

This year, the gelding won the Parkes Cup over 1600m in May before two unplaced runs but handy runs over 1900m at Canterbury in June.

He turned up for this race with a solid third behind The Extreme Cat over 1300m at Hawkesbury on July 21.

“His owners wanted to try and stretch him out over a bit of a journey so we gave him a couple of runs at Canterbury over 1900m,” he said.

“He came from last and was only beaten about four lengths in each but he is better over a mile where they go a bit quicker.

“I gave him another freshen-up to get him ready for the Forbes Cup and instead of barrier trialling, I sent him around at Hawkesbury.

“His run the other day was enormous and has him topped him perfectly.

“I’m confident with even luck, he can be in the top three.”

Croft is taking three other horses to Forbes including Suay Mam’selle for the Super Maiden (1300m) who he feels is his best chance foe the day despite her wide draw.

“She is a half-sister to Just A Brother. She goes quite well this mare,” Croft said.

“She was a bit stiff at Hawkesbury first-up. The plan was to go forward but she was a bit slow away and went back but was still caught three-deep.

“She still finished strongly the last 200 metres.

Royale Veloute wins by a length in the fifth at Hawkesbury with @AlyshaCollett on board. pic.twitter.com/EPu7yv8VWS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 21, 2024

“This looks like a really nice race for her and Clayton is wasting to ride her at 56.5kg.”

Croft’s other two runners are the last start winners Hot Jive in the Class 2 Handicap (1100m) and Royale Veloute in the Class 1 Handicap (1400m).

Hot Jive won the Big Maiden at Grafton first-up with a strong run from back in the field.

“She has been a bit of a problem horse with her manners and she has been unlucky a few times as well. She probably should have won two or three of those races,” he said.

“She has also been beaten by some quite handy horses as well.

“I have changed her whole workload and it seems to be suiting her.

“It was good to see her break through at Grafton. She really hit the line strongly and they ran a class record.

“I expect her to be very competitive again.”

Royale Veloute placed at her first three runs last campaign including a third at Canterbury over 1900m

She kicked off this preparation with a win over 1300m at Hawkesbury.

“Looking at the form, I don’t think it’s an overly strong race. She is coming back from provincial class and isn’t badly treated with 57kg,” he said

“She has just drawn a sticky gate this weekend but she will go forward anyway.

“She will settle in the first three and she should be right in the finish again.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 3: Miss Jennifer

She was an eye-catching third at Randwick two run back and should have finished a little closer at Rosehill last start.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 4: All In The Mind

Racing well in his second Australian campaign including a handy win at Canterbury last start.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No. 8: Suay Mam’selle

Raced well back and wide before making steady ground when resuming. Expect her to roll forward from the wide gate.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2, 6, 8

Race 6: 4, 5, 9

Race 7: 2, 4

Race 8: 2, 4, 8

Clayton Gallagher has a nice book of rides at Forbes. Picture: Bradley Photos

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Clayton Gallagher has a good book rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – FORBES

RACE 1

Maybe Maureen resumed with a closing neck second to Don’t Doubt Merlin at Goulburn on June 3 then was caught wide throughout at her next two starts when fourth at Goulburn and second at Narrandera. Drawn ideally and will go close. Completely Package was heavily backed into $1.50 first-up when third to Trianon at Moruya where she didn’t appreciate the heavy track. Worth another chance. Cougars lost the rider at the start on debut at Queanbeyan. Had trialled nicely before that.

Bet: Maybe Maureen to win

RACE 2

Legris settled worse than midfield and was working home well despite laying in near the 100m when just over a length fourth to Royale Veloute at Hawkesbury last start. Sat wide when third at Cowra before that. Mariner’s Dream steps out for new trainer Matthew Kelley. Has handy Victorian form including a close second at Cranbourne and a third at Yarra Valley. Jeffo hasn’t been far away in four runs this campaign. Runner-up to Hot Gospel at Dubbo last start.

Bet: Legris to win

RACE 3

Suay Mam’selle trialled nicely behind subsequent winner Northern Eyes on July 8. Raced back and wide but made steady ground when seventh behind stablemate Royale Veloute when resuming at Hawkesbury on July 21. Jazz All Knight improved off her first-up run when second behind Vermicella at Queanbeyan last start. Will make her presence felt again. Listen To Win had trialled well prior to his debut when a length and a half third to Big Shot Legend at Warren. Will be better for the experience.

Bet: Suay Mam’selle each-way

RACE 4

Miss Jennifer charged home from last to finish a length third behind Shezanalister in a Bm78 at Randwick two starts back before a sixth to Llanddwyn at Rosehill after being steadied near the 200m. She was a Class 3 Highway winner at Randwick in May. London Gal resumes from a spell and she has a handy fresh record. Was fourth in the Braidwood Cup at her last start in February and won the Narooma Cup three starts earlier. Miss Ostend was a handy second on the Acton track last start.

Bet: Miss Jennifer to win

Miss Jennifer wins first up for Danny Williams at Goulburn in the second! @GoulburnTrainerpic.twitter.com/B0yLc77zfv

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 7, 2024

RACE 5

More Than A Star raced keenly at the rear of the field before running home strongly for a length and a quarter second to I’m Not Slew when resuming at Scone. Raced closer and battled away when fifth at Grafton last start. Blinkers go on. You’re On Mute was a debut winner then won again first-up at her second preparation before handy runs at her next three. Hot Jive is coming off a nice win in the Big Maiden at Grafton. Will make her presence felt again.

Bet: More Than A Star to win

RACE 6

Stockholm was taken on in front before finishing sixth behind Cyclone Rupert, who tracked the speed and put a big gap on them, when resuming at Tamworth. He will be better for the run and the step up to 1400m. Prince Papa worked home well between runners when third to the swooping Ruperts Red Rocket when resuming over 1200m at Queanbeyan. Will be improved by the run and the extra distance. Charlotting hasn’t been far away at her last two runs and has place claims.

Bet: Stockholm to win

RACE 7

All In The Mind was a handy second to Elise May first-up at Canterbury then inconvenienced when seventh to The Little Pumper there on July 3. After an easy trial, scored a nice win from Taraashoq at Canterbury. One Aye is coming of a barnstorming win from Mascaret over 1800m at Randwick on July 27. Will be charging home again. Just A Brother is back to defend his title and is racing very well.

Bet: All In The Mind to win

RACE 8

Royale Veloute had nice for without winning last campaign. Trialled nicely and followed it up with a solid maiden win at Hawkesbury on July 21. Can go back-to-back. Tincity was good winning on debut at Wagga before a third to the handy Zarizatycoon at Mudgee. Big Shot Legend has claims on his last start Warren win.

Bet: Royale Veloute to win

Originally published as Forbes tips: Trainer Terry Croft couldn’t be happier with Just A Brother as he strives for back-to-back Cup wins