ForbiddenTreasure is the Star Athlete

The Star Athlete Stakes was the feature event on the card here in Spain this week and it was taken out in fine style in a close finish to a thrilling race by Forbidden Treasure.

The capacity field of 14 was released in unison by the starter and it was Kepler Dido who went straight to the lead and set a cracking pace in front, from the start Capidad’s jockey N Ashton was always in trouble with the saddle slipping and he took no part in the race. Forbidden Treasure was sitting back lobbing along in a relaxed way back in 13^th place. Kepler Dido led until the halfway point where the pace began to take its toll and Speightsband who had taken the perfect sit just off the pace took over, he surged to the front and then took control at the top of the stretch. He looked set for victory until Armstrong launched his challenge, he was unsighted for much of the run as he was sitting a couple of length of the speed for most of the run and was difficult to see hiding away on the fence. When the run did come he challenged strongly and with half a furlong to go he looked as if he would claim the prize. However H Marshal and Forbidden Treasure had other ideas, he had been pulled to the outside and was about to launch an amazing stretch run, he was 5 lengths from the lead at the top of the stretch and he began to put in the huge strides and drew past the field and to the girth of Armstrong, he tried to fight valiantly but Forbidden Treasure was too strong and drew away for the win by ¾ of a length with a stunning 109 speed figure.

H Marshall was ecstatic when he returned to scale and he leaped from the horse into the arms of the trainer Billgulch.

Forbidden Treasure recorded his highest career speed figure of 109 and his 8^th win from 32 starts and raised his stake earnings to $822,020.

Billgulch said after the race “He certainly wasn’t the favourite for the race but, wow what a performance. He needed the speed on to show what he is capable of and we got the race run to suit him. H Marshall gave him the perfect run in transit and he got the big strides in down the stretch and was too strong. Hopefully he will go on with it now and win more Graded races”.

Well done boss, may there be many more for this talented guy.

Simon