Rosehill track to host Charlton-trained runners

A late-season two-year-old contest is earmarked as a significant marker for Forest King, as trainer Tom Charlton seeks to gain a clearer understanding of the gelding's spring aspirations.

The gelding is set to make his return in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. His juvenile season began with a two-race stint, highlighted by a maiden victory at Canterbury in February.

When pitched into Group company for the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), Forest King acquitted himself well, finishing seventh behind Warwoven, who went on to demonstrate competitiveness in the Golden Slipper.

Charlton reports that the young horse has returned in fine fettle and is sufficiently prepared to race strongly at Rosehill.

"He came up a bit short in the Pago Pago. We gave him a break, and he looks to have come back nice enough," Charlton stated.

"We'll see what level he gets to this 'prep'.

"He's not the biggest horse, but he has improved, as you'd expect. And he'd need to.

"We'll get him racing and he'll find where he's going to be competitive, whether it's in better grade or similar grade."

Dylan Gibbons is scheduled to ride Forest King from barrier five. Concurrently, Zac Lloyd will partner the stable's other contender, Roselyn's Star, who is also commencing her campaign in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m).

The five-year-old is embarking on his campaign following his most consistent season yet, which concluded with a triumph in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in March. He has a good record when resuming.

"That was a really good win for him. He's building a nice profile," Charlton observed.

"He seems to have come back very well, and 1100 metres at Rosehill suits him. He has drawn slightly awkwardly, but it's a nice place for him to start."

Charlton has not yet set a definitive spring schedule for Roselyn's Star, but the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January is being considered for the future.

"There is no real target. There are plenty of races in the spring," he said.

"I probably have, in the back of my mind, the Magic Millions in January. He qualifies for that, so we'll probably look to take him back there at some point."

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