With five races under her belt, Cashla Bay is one of the more seasoned runners in Saturday’s Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa, and trainer Andrew Forsman is hoping that works in her favour.

Bred and raced by The Oaks Stud, Cashla Bay made her debut in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie in February where she beat just one runner home. She improved on that result when placing in her subsequent three starts, before breaking through for her maiden victory over 1400m at Matamata earlier this month.

Forsman was rapt with the confidence-boosting victory and is hoping the daughter of U S Navy Flag can now earn some lucrative black-type this weekend before heading for a spell.

“She has had a fair bit of racing and a fair bit of travelling, but we also wanted to make her a winner this campaign, she has been so genuine right the way through,” Forsman said. “It was good to tick that box the other day at Matamata and hopefully she can get some black-type.”

Cashla Bay will jump from barrier six on Saturday and will be ridden by veteran hoop Vinnie Colgan.

“It all sets up really nicely for her,” Forsman said. “We have got a good, experienced rider in Vinnie on and she has got the ability. The big thing with her is that she jumps and puts herself in the race and she can handle all track conditions. There’s no reason why she won’t have every chance.

“She has been up a fair while now and this has always been the target, and hopefully she can go well.”

-By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk