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Guineas test for Kiwi-bred; The Chosen One thriving

Guineas test for Kiwi-bred

Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani will line-up Furioso  in the Gr.2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) on Saturday and he admits he is having a throw at the stumps with the lightly-raced three-year-old.

The son Atlante has had just the two career starts, breaking through for his maiden victory at Cranbourne last month, and Cumani believes he will put in a good showing this weekend.

"We put him in as a late nomination as the Sandown Guineas came up a bit light, except for Aysar, so we thought we'd have a crack," he said.

"He's looking for more ground but he should run on well and beat the majority of the field home."

The Chosen One thriving

Connections of The Chosen One are thrilled with the way he has returned to New Zealand after his fourth-placing in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) last week.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained runner had a pleasing spring, winning first-up at Flemington in September before running third in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last month.

"He has been home for just over a week now," Forsman said. "It was great to get him home so quickly, he's letting down really well.

"He will probably only need to have another three or four weeks out and we will get him back in and prepare for the autumn."