So Fear’s last-start performance went a long way toward dispelling any fears of her ability to shine over more ground.
The daughter of Ardrossan was out on her own at the end of 1400m against a competitive age group line-up at Hastings to boost confidence in her Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) prospects.
“She won really well, she’s a very good filly and the way she ran it out, I don’t see any reason why the mile would hold her up,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.
So Fear will have an early look at Riccarton on Saturday when she tackles the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1400m) ahead of her return for the Guineas, for which she is now a $16 chance in the pre-post market.
“She’s doing everything right and will go down to Christchurch tonight,” Marsh said.
So Fear had the blinkers on for the first time at Hastings where she was quickly into stride to lead and, despite being taken on, surged clear at the top of the straight to win with authority.
“She’s an absolute dream and has as good a temperament as you could get,” Marsh said.
“That’s why we put the blinkers on, we just felt that she was just getting a bit too relaxed and taking it all a bit easy. They really sharpened her.”
So Fear will combine with Courtney Barnes, who has been aboard in all three of her wins.
“She will ride her again and obviously gets on very well with her,” Marsh said.
Meanwhile, Raymond and Shambo Jack can punch their tickets for Riccarton when they go head-to-head in Monday’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa.
The former has been a market mover for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), coming in from $81 to $12, while Shambo Jack has also been cut from $61 to $21.
Also by Ardrossan, Raymond was a strong last-start third in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), while his stablemate and stakes placegetter Shambo Jack most recently broke his maiden at Matamata.
“Raymond was very good in the Guineas and Shambo Jack was great as well, he won very well,” Marsh said.
Two others can also confirm southern ventures at Te Rapa where they will contest the SGL Handicap (1500m).
“Erin Go Bragh and Circus Trix are nominated for the TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m) and will tell us exactly where we are heading with them,” Marsh said.
The stable will also be represented by a host of other Saturday chances at Ellerslie where Marsh expects a bold showing from debutante Princess Grazi in the Speights 2YO (1100m).
The Capitalist youngster has shown her precocity with lead-up heat wins over 800m on the course and at Matamata.
“She has done nothing wrong, she’s trialled up great and her work has been really good,” Marsh said.
“She’s going really well and hopefully she can go on to bigger things.”
Marsh also likes the chances of Hidden Achievement in the Show By Skycity Handicap (1400m) off the back of his last-start fourth at Hastings, while multiple Group One winner El Vencedor will step out in the Elsdon Park Handicap (1600m).
“It will be very interesting, hopefully he can find some sort of form ahead of the Balmerino Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) on Melbourne Cup Day,” he said.