Financier scores satisfying win for Marsh

While Stephen Marsh has enjoyed plenty of success this season, highlighted by the deeds of his unbeaten Group One-winning filly Well Written (Written Tyccon), the Cambridge trainer scored one of his most satisfying results at Te Rapa on Saturday when Financier (NZ) (Tavistock) took out the PGG Wrightson Grain Mile (1600m).

The six-year-old son of Tavistock had shown plenty of ability as a younger horse, winning four races and finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) before he injured a tendon, which sidelined him for nearly two years.

He made his return in February at Taupo where he finished runner-up to his Group One-winning stablemate Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), and he had three subsequent runs before returning to the winners’ circle on Saturday.

Marsh had been expecting him to win prior to Saturday, and while he had to wait for the victory, it was very sweet when it came.

“I love this horse, he has been plagued with injuries, and I have had him out in the hills in Hawke’s Bay for 12 months,” Marsh said.

“It means a lot this horse coming back and winning, we have always liked him, he has just taken a while to come back to it. When an older gelding has been off the scene it does take them a while and it was really good to see him do that today.

“It is an open mile, but you do get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing horses like him win with the time that everybody has put into him. It was a lovely ride and I am proud of him.”

With a win now under his belt, Marsh said Financier will now head for a spell before being targeted towards some feature miles next season.

“We needed to see him win or go big,” Marsh said. “He will go for a spell and he will come back and I think you will see him in some of those big miles. I think he is very good.”

Jockey George Rooke was rapt with the win and he believes Financier is up to stakes company when he returns in the spring.

“Everything went to plan (today), everything opened up in time and he was brilliant,” Rooke said. “I think the blinkers made a big difference today and the track was probably in his favour.

“I would like to think he would place or win a Listed race off that run. Hopefully he stays fit and well.”

The victory came after a string of frustrating results for Marsh at Te Rapa, who placed in four of the first five races on the card, with Bourbon Time (Exceed And Excel) securing black-type when third in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m).