Desleigh Forster looks to Ipswich

By Glenn Davis

Desleigh Forster is renowned for being one of the best in the business training tried horses.

Patience and placement at her boutique Eagle Farm stable are two of the virtues that have made her a Group 1-winning trainer and one of the state’s most respected conditioners.

She claimed her maiden Group 1 with former top sprinter Apache Chase in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup on her home track in May of 2022.

It was one of nine wins in 26 starts for Apache Chase who finished his career with $2.12 million in prizemoney.

Forster gives every horse in her stable one-on-one personal care which is just one reason why owners Ron and Judy Wanless have tasked her with preparing former Sydney sprinter Bold Bidder.

Bold Bidder steps out for the second time for Forster after drawing barrier seven in the Class 2 Handicap an Ipswich on Wednesday.

He finished second in his stable debut in an 1120 metre Class 1 Handicap at Lismore on January 4.

The four-year-old son of Fastnet Rock began his career in Sydney with Bjorn Baker and won a Kembla Grange maiden before being moved on to fellow Eagle Farm trainer Matthew Hoysted.

However, Bold Bidder soon found his way into the Toowoomba yard of Troy Pascoe after only one start for Hoysted at the Sunshine Coast in August of last year.

After three unplaced runs for Pascoe, the Wanless’ pulled the pin and transferred Bold Bidder to Forster who has had previous success for the well-known owners.

“I’ve known Ron and Judy a long time and I’ve trained quite a few horses for them,” Forster said.

“They’re wonderful people to train for.”

Forster expects a strong performance from the four-year-old following his first-up effort at Lismore.

“He’s a nice horse and there’s nothing wrong with him,” Forster said.

“He was entered for two races at Ipswich, but Ron only runs from good barriers.

“There are no big plans for him and we’ll just see how he goes but he’s been working well so I’m hopeful he’ll run well."

Forster will also start the Judy Wanless-owned Queen Of Light in the Maiden Handicap over 1350 metres.

Queen Of Light was formerly trained by Forster’s close friend Peter Moody and his training partner Katherine Coleman in Victoria.

The four-year-old daughter of So You Think also made the trip to Lismore for her first start for Forster and was a close-up fourth to the Stephen Lee-trained Constellation in a 1320 metre maiden on January 4.