Race favourite Force Of Nature made it five wins from five starts at Te Rapa when he strolled home in the Woods Contracting 1300 (1300m) on Saturday.
Bred and raced by Milan Park principal Tony Rider, the son of Savabeel has continued to improve since breaking his maiden status back in October last year and is unbeaten in three starts after resuming from a summer spell with a win in rating 75 company in April followed by his inaugural open handicap success in early May.
Trainer Andrew Forsman gave his emerging star another short break and he returned to action with a vengeance, defeating Marlborough Bay and Dusty Road with ease.
Senior rider Michael McNab had his mount perfectly situated in midfield before angling him to the outer in the home straight. Force Of Nature bounded clear at the 200m with McNab easing him to the line nearly two lengths clear of Marlborough Bay, Dusty Road and Martell who all chased gamely but to no avail.
Rider was delighted to see Force Of Nature continue on his winning way and has high hopes that success can be maintained.
“That was a very good run in a nice field,” Rider said.
“I know Andrew thinks a lot of him and we all hope he can continue his development to get him up to black type level.
“Andrew has always said he has heaps of ability but it has taken some time for him to mature and he has more growing up to do.
“They have taken him along quietly and he is displaying the benefit of that. Personally, I think he could get up to a mile and that will open up some exciting stakes opportunities for him.”
Force of Nature is out of the O’Reilly mare Elusive Nature (NZ) and is the younger brother of Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy winner (1200m) Shezzacatch (NZ) (Savabeel)who also ran 4th in the 2023 Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) behind Levante (NZ) (Proisir). He has now won five of his nine starts and just under $124,000 in prizemoney.