Angela Forster: ‘We were close to retiring him’ before Lotion’s stunning Buntine Handicap victory

SOUTH Australian trainer Angela Forster admits she was close to retiring nine-year-old marvel Lotion before his stunning 7 ½-length triumph in Saturday’s $50,000 Sitzler Buntine Handicap (2050m) at Fannie Bay.

Lotion pictured before winning the 2021 Buntine Handicap for Angela Forster. Picture: Caroline Camilleri

SOUTH Australian trainer Angela Forster admits she was close to retiring nine-year-old marvel Lotion before his stunning 7 ½-length triumph in Saturday’s $50,000 Sitzler Buntine Handicap (2050m) at Fannie Bay.

His last win came in the 2020 Alice Springs Cup before coming up to Darwin for what could still end up being his last Carnival.

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That was before a half-length victory in the $19,500 Niceforo Group Handicap (1600m) on June 26 set him up nicely for his remarkable run on Saturday.

“Absolutely (I’m happy with the win),” Forster said.

“This was only his second win in Darwin.

“I was actually thinking of retiring him.

“It was a tough call.

“But he just loves racing, and everyone involved with it - eating, trackwork.

“Everything.”

Lotion ran second in the 2019 Darwin Cup.

And if Saturday’s impressive hoop Sairyn Fawke – who had two winners on NT Derby Day – rides him again in the Darwin Cup on August 2, don’t discount the old veteran stayer’s chances.

“They’re a really good combination,” Forster said.

“With those two winning well, hopefully it’s a good omen.

“Hopefully we can get Sairyn for another ride in the Cup.”

It has been a sensational career for Lotion, who now has close to $450,000 in total prizemoney.

“I think he’s as good a chance as anyone else in the Cup,” Forster said.