The Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained Kiwi raider Turn Me Loose had the ideal 2017 Futurity Stakes tune-up on the weekend running an eye-catching second in the Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes.
Turn Me Loose looks on track for a Futurity Stakes 2017 title defence at Caulfield Racecourse on Blue Diamond Stakes Day. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
A now five-year-old son of Iffraaj prepared at Cambridge in New Zealand, Turn Me Loose ran fourth in last yearâs Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) and went two better in his 2017 return.
Winner of the old Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) in the spring of 2015, the stallion backed up from the CF Orr Stakes last Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival to win the $500,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m).
Co-trainer Baker is more confident than ever that the horse can enjoy back-to-back Futurity Stakes after watching him run on strongly first-up on Saturday at Caulfield Racecourse.
Second-up off a seventh to Malaguerra in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, Turn Me Loose ran a length second to the saluting favourite Black Heart Bart in the C.F. Orr Stakes results.
Only rated a $26 shot in betting, it was a lovely performance from the three-time Group 1 winner who missed the kick and made up plenty of ground in the gutsy second to Darren Weirâs star.
“He went a beauty to finish second behind a high class horse in Black Heart Bart,â Baker told Racing Victoria on Sunday.
âHe stumbled away at the start which didnât help but I was delighted how he fought so well after making all the pace following his trouble at the barrier.â
Turn Me Loose will now return to Caulfield on Blue Diamond Stakes Day â February 25 â for the Futurity Stakes title defence facing Black Heart Bart once again third-up.
âHeâs a five-year-old now so he takes a bit of racing to get fully fit, so Iâm hoping he will be spot on for the Futurity in a fortnight,â Baker added.
The last back-to-back Futurity Stakes winner was Niconero (2008-09), while three of the past four winners had their final lead-up in the CF Orr Stakes including All Too Hard (2013) and Moment Of Change (2014) who both completed the double.
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