Buoyed by a satisfying midweek success, Stephen Marsh will be hoping to add to his tally on Saturday with a four-strong team engaged at Trentham, including a pair of strong Group One chances.
The Cambridge trainer was delighted to see his well-related Pierro filly Moet Down open her winning account at Te Rapa on Wednesday at her fourth appearance.
She is the first horse raced by the all-female Heels & Hooves Syndicate, who are supporting a worthy cause with the filly.
“They are donating a percentage of their prizemoney to the Breast Cancer Foundation,” Marsh said.
He purchased Moet Down for A$200,000 at the Inglis Australia Easter Yearling Sale where she was offered by Coolmore.
“Since we bought her, the half-sister (Madame Pommery) won the Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) in Melbourne and it’s a family that’s booming,” Marsh said.
She is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Cancel, who is a sister to the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Earthquake.
Marsh will be banking on Moet Down’s victory to be a forerunner to further success at Trentham where he will have stable newcomer Skyman and El Vencedor in the Gr.1 Harcourts Team Group Thorndon Mile (1600m).
Skyman is owned by Go Racing and won nine races, including four at Listed level, from Chris Waller’s Sydney operation. He hasn’t raced since December, but is forward to resume.
“He’s in good order, his trial was great and he had an exhibition gallop at Matamata. He’s going really well,” Marsh said.
Skyman will be ridden by expatriate Kiwi jockey Daniel Stackhouse, who was booked following a surprise call.
“We got a message from Mason Stevens, who used to work in New Zealand, saying would you put Daniel on and I said yes, without a doubt. He’s a very good rider,” Marsh said.
“It’s hard to split Skyman and El Vencedor, who has drawn nicely and will jump and put himself right there.”
El Vencedor won the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) two runs back and the Shocking gelding followed up with a solid third in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and will again be ridden by Joe Doyle.
Marsh’s other Trentham runners are Doddle in The Oaks Stud Remutaka Classic (2100m) and Sako in the Rydges Wellington Airport Premier (1200m) with Sam Weatherley to partner the pair.
Doddle returned to her best form at her most recent appearance when the Dundeel mare successfully stepped up to Saturday’s distance at Tauranga earlier this month.
“She’s going very well and it’s going to be a great race with $350,000 up. She has certainly done nothing wrong,” Marsh said.
A son of Ardrossan, Sako finished a close second at Te Rapa last month in his first appearance for three months.
“He was good last start and has an average gate (10), but he does have early speed and looks a nice chance,” Marsh said.