The younger members of Stephen Marsh’s stable have served the Cambridge trainer well this season and they’re not finished yet.
Marsh has so far produced five individual two-year-old winners, headed by two-time winner Ulanova who claimed the Gr.3 Taranaki Classic (1200m) by a wide margin.
She also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and awaits promotion following the unfortunate post-race positive returned by winner Tokyo Tycoon.
Marsh has also been represented by the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) winner and Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) placegetter Codigo while Burn To Shine, Tower Flypass and Sako have also been successful.
“We’ve had a really good run with the two-year-olds and we’ve still got a few more to run,” Marsh said.
“Most of them haven’t been too taxed and they’ve got the runs on the board. We’ve certainly got some good stock to look forward to in the spring.
“Ulanova is spelling and when we get her back the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) will be her first target.”
Marsh will also look to add to his juvenile tally in Saturday’s Listed Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe Park.
“I’m going to run two in it, The Matador has had one run for a fourth and he goes well and a first starter called Just One. The mile looks like it will suit them both down to the ground,” Marsh said.
By Darci Brahma, The Matador finished in behind the major players at Avondale earlier this month while Justify’s son Just One has had three recent trials to prepare the colt for his debut performance.
Written Tycoon youngster Glamour Tycoon will also chase black type before a break when she runs in next month’s Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m).
She gave a good account of herself when runner-up at Te Rapa at the first time of asking last Saturday.
Meanwhile, quality three-year-old Luella Cristina is a confirmed starter in Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton.
The dual winner and Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) placegetter finished second in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) on a heavy surface on the first day of the meeting and Marsh is hoping for an improved track for the Snitzel filly.
“She’ll definitely back-up, she got a bit of a check and got her onto the bridle and travelled a bit strongly,” Marsh said.
“She’d had a decent gap between runs and she also locked up in the ground a touch. She has come through the run really well and I think the back-up will suit her.”
Stablemate Doddle will also front up again after over-racing when unplaced in the Airfreight Stakes last Saturday.
“It was a run to forget and hopefully on the back-up it will take some of that nervous energy out of her. If she can relax, she’s a chance to turn her form around,” Marsh said.
It was the first time the daughter of Dundeel had finished out of the top three following her maiden win at Pukekohe and placings at Taupo and Riccarton.