Forster to attack Eye Liner Stakes

Desleigh Forster-trained Chapter And Verse joins stablemate Malvern Estate in the Listed Eye Liner.

Trainer Desleigh Forster is planning a twin assault on the Listed Eye Liner Stakes to end a frustrating run for her two runners.

Forster will have Chapter And Verse and Malvern Estate in the $175,000 Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) on Saturday.

Malvern Estate has run eight minor placings and two fourths since his last win eighteen months ago.

“I know trainers talk about their horses being consistent and deserving a win. But he has raced in the best company and never been disgraced,” Forster said.

“The Eye Liner is perfect for him and it is probably going to be the right conditions with a softer surface.”

Forster had hoped to get a start in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap with Chapter and Verse but he failed to make the cut after a fourth in the BRC Sprint and an unplaced effort in the Kingsford Smith Cup.

“I said all along it would be no disaster if Chapter and Verse didn’t make the Stradbroke field this year,” Forster said.

“He is still on the up and next year was where I was really looking. I always had the Eye Liner in the back of my mind and it does look a nice race for him.”

Neither horse has ever raced at Ipswich but Forster does not see that as a disadvantage.

“Ipswich on Cup day usually suits horses who can wind up and finish fast and that covers both of them,” she said.

Mark Du Plessis will ride Chapter and Verse while Robbie Fradd is expected to stick with Malvern Estate.

The two are among 24 entries taken on Monday headed by Saturday’s Hinkler Handicap winner Victorem and Quilista, winner of the Bright Shadow Stakes at Doomben two starts ago.

Both are rated 105 with I’m A Rippa next on 103.

The Tony Gollan-trained I’m A Rippa was unplaced in the Stradbroke after leading the field for much of the race.