Serious spring business will begin early for trainer Stephen Marsh at Taupo where two of his young stable stars will make their seasonal debuts on Wednesday.
Group One winner Velocious and unbeaten stakes winner Super Photon will resume in their respective age group events with both three-year-olds in fine fettle to open their campaigns.
“They are in small but very interesting fields and it’s exciting to get these good horses back on track,” Marsh said.
“We certainly haven’t screwed them down yet, but it’s an ideal kick off point and they are forward enough after a jump-out and a very soft trial each so they are going into their races extremely well.”
Last season’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) winner Velocious opens her preparation in the Taupo Pak ’N’ Save 3YO Fillies (1100m) while Super Photon returns in the Poverty Bay Turf Club 3YO Colts & Geldings (1100m).
Plans beyond Taupo for the pair are yet to be confirmed, with Australia firmly in the mix.
“We’re not 100 percent sure, but there is a big chance the filly (Velocious) will head to Melbourne,” Marsh said.
“There is the Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and a lot of 1100 and 1200m races for fillies and they are mostly set weights and penalties, so she will have to carry decent weights.”
While Marsh is happy with his charge’s condition, who will be ridden by Craig Grylls, he is wary about the threat posed by the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Alabama Lass.
“She looks very quick and she may well be too fast for us around Taupo,” Marsh said.
“I just want to see our filly nice and relaxed and attacking the line strongly.”
Ironically, Alabama Lass will be partnered by Velocious’ regular rider of last term Sam Spratt who made her decision based on the likelihood of the latter going to Australia.
Meanwhile, Joe Doyle’s mount Super Photon was a debut winner last term before the Super Seth colt kept his perfect record intact with victory in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m).
“He could go to Melbourne and go toward the Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) but again, it’s still up in the air,” Marsh said.
“Australia is in our sights, but he could also go to Riccarton for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).
“It’s hard to know which way to go and I’m thinking both horses will let us know if we should go to Melbourne, but there is still great racing at home for them.
“The tracks and the spring weather here may be a concern and I’m 50/50 at the moment and happy to go either way.”
Marsh is also keen on the resuming Taupo chances of Merchant Queen in the Waikato Stud Handicap (1200m).
The daughter of Merchant Navy, who will benefit from apprentice Triston Moodley’s 2kg claim, won twice last season and finished runner-up in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m).
“Her form last preparation was extremely good and she trialled up well, she could end up in a pretty handy sprint race over Christmas,” Marsh said.