All Too Hard filly Forbidden Love staked her claim for a spring carnival campaign with an encouraging first-up victory at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Co-trainers Richard and Michael Freedman couldn’t help being impressed after she led a smart field before dropping them in the straight.   “We have a decent opinion of this filly,” Michael said after the Sky Racing Active Hcp (1200m).  “It was a good win because she didn’t have it all her own way in front.”

Forbidden Love had beaten Raison D’Etre on debut at Warwick Farm in March and the Darley rep franked that form with a runaway victory earlier on the midweek card at Canterbury.  She also ran well behind Away Game in the (Gr.2) Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick in April.

The Freedmans will nominate her for latter legs of the Princess Series which commences at Randwick this Saturday.  They include the Furious Stakes Gr.2 on September 5, Tea Rose Stakes Gr.2 on September 19 and Flight Stakes Gr.1 on October 3.

Bhima Thoroughbreds (as agent) sold Forbidden Love for $150,000 at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  Her USA-bred dam Juliet’s Princess (More Than Ready) had visited All Too Hard at Vinery following four wins up to 1600m in Adelaide for owner-breeder Kerry O’Brien.  She was also runner-up in a Laelia Stakes LR at Morphettville.

Winning jockey Tommy Berry confirmed Forbidden Love has come back in great order.  “She lightened off towards the end of her first prep but Michael assured me she had been working well.  She’s a lot more relaxed now and I was able to lead without waking her up.  She’s a nice type for the spring carnival.”

Berry was completing a running double for All Too Hard at Canterbury after piloting Pitchfork to victory in the Frosted @ Darley Hcp (1550m).  The John O’Shea-trained galloper had won a Newcastle maiden with ease earlier this month but had to dig deep to prevail on Wednesday.

“He was vulnerable after working into a headwind after the start,” Berry revealed.  “He’s raw and burly but got the job done.”

O’Shea prepares Pitchfork for Vinery partner Neil Werrett who reached racing’s pinnacle as a part-owner of All Too Hard’s half-sister Black Caviar.  His lightly-raced gelding is the penultimate foal of English-bred mare Music Review (Singspiel) won 5 races up to 2400m as well as earning black-type when placed in the 2010 Tesio Stakes Gr.3 at Moonee Valley.

“I’m really happy for Neil.  He was the first person to phone when I came back as a public trainer,” O’Shea recalled.  “We will send Pitchfork out for another break and bring him back for a summer campaign.  He’s a very big, scopey horse with a lot to offer over longer trips on firmer tracks.”

All Too Hard can consolidate a Top 5 ranking on the Australian sires’ premiership when Hard Landing contests the McKenzie Stakes LR at Moonee Valley this Saturday. The Lindsay Park colt has opened a $4 fixed-odds favourite for a partnership that includes Werrett and fellow Vinery partner Steve McCann.

Vinery stands All Too Hard for a $27,500 (inc GST) service fee payable on a live foal.

ALL TOO HARD