IN Racing
Bright future tipped for debut winner
“He is still a colt. He is a beautifully bred half to Mo’unga so it is nice that he is fully intact."
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk | April 17, 2024
Super Photon storms to a debut victory in the Arawa Park Hotel 2YO 1150 at Rotorua on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

A bright future is being tipped for Super Photon following his debut win in the Arawa Park Hotel 2YO 1150 at Rotorua on Wednesday.

The son of Super Seth jumped away fairly from his ace barrier and took an early trail behind pacemaker Force Of Law before jockey Joe Doyle was able to navigate him into the coveted one-one position behind the regally-bred Magice.

Turning for home, Super Photon peeled three-wide and quickly ranged up alongside the Magice and Force Of Law and showed his class in the concluding stages to post a 3-3/4 length victory over Magice.

Super Photon was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Marsh in conjunction with Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $380,000.

He showed signs of early talent at the trials, placing in all three of his heats and was subsequently backed into $2.50 favouritism for his debut.

“He is a lovely colt by Super Seth. We paid a lot of money for him at the sales,” Marsh said.

“He is still a colt. He is a beautifully bred half to Mo’unga so it is nice that he is fully intact.

“We were very confident today and they have always got to put it together, he was beautiful today. I love the way he settled in the trail.

“He has still got a lot to learn, but he put them away pretty quick and we believe he is a colt with a big future.”

Stakes assignments are now in the crosshairs for Super Photon, with the first in his sights being the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on May 4.

“We thought if he won well today he could potentially go to Te Rapa on 4th of May, there is a stakes race over 1400m there and then he can go out for a spell,” Marsh said.

“You just hope you can set him for a Hawke’s Bay Guineas and 2000 Guineas, that will be our long-term plan.”

American investor, and thoroughbred enthusiast, Dennis Foster, alongside Bourbon Lane’s Jamie Hill and Mike McMahon, have formed a solid partnership with Marsh in New Zealand, having previously tasted success with the likes of stakes winner Glamour Tycoon, All Black Bourbon, Hoard The Bourbon, and Mega Bourbon. 

Stephen Marsh Super Photon Super Seth Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes Bourbon Lane Mo'unga Karaka New Zealand Bloodstock