No calm after the storm for Marsh
Even with the ultimate NZB Kiwi victory signed and delivered by Well Written (Written Tycoon) on Champions Day, there’s been no let-up for the unbeaten filly’s trainer Stephen Marsh.
On Saturday Marsh is planning to have up to 15 starters at the Racing Tauranga feature meeting and the day before he has another double-figure contingent engaged at Pukekohe’s lower-key fixture.
“No, it’s been pretty much business as usual around here,” Marsh said on Wednesday. “As much as I’d like to take a break there’s been no let-up, that will have to wait.
“For the meantime we’ve got plenty going on with lots more racing to come through the autumn, so it’s a matter of dealing with that and then taking some time out when things quieten down.”
Marsh reports that Well Written came through her nail-biting NZB Kiwi win in good order and is now enjoying her own time out.
“She pulled up well and had a couple of quiet days in the stable just to chill out, so she’s gone out for a very well-deserved spell.
“She’ll come back in before the weather gets too bad and to begin with we’ll just potter around with her. We haven’t talked seriously about any plans for next season and the only race in the back of our minds is the Golden Eagle in Sydney, but for now we’ll just let the dust settle.”
The Marsh stable’s busy day at Tauranga is headed by Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) candidate Super Photon (NZ) (Super Seth), whose most relevant form reference is his early January win in an open 1500m race on the Gate Pa course.
In his two subsequent starts he had no luck from a wide draw in the Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic (1600m) on Karaka Millions night when he was blocked late, followed by a fourth placing, beaten less than two lengths, in an open 1600m at Otaki three weeks ago.
“He’s come up with a bad draw (12) and he’s up against a strong field, but he does have form on the track,” Marsh said. “We’ve booked Warren Kennedy to ride him, and I’m just hoping the weather doesn’t crack up.
“He has won on soft ground but his best form is on top of the ground. He’s in good order though, his final bit of strong work this morning was good.”
Marsh rates his Rating 65 1400m duo Super Legocy (NZ) (Super Seth) and Hakushu (NZ) (I Am Invincible) as his strongest hand at Tauranga.
“Super Legocy has gone two good races since winning his maiden and that was a good run for fourth by Hakushu last time too. Opie Bosson rides her and Michael McNab is on Super Photon.
“I like our two in the open sprint too. Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy) was much better last time (when fourth over 1200m at Ellerslie) and Merchant Queen (NZ) (Merchant Navy) had very little luck in the same race.”
At Pukekohe on Friday, Marsh points to Rating 65 2100 candidate Clew Bay (NZ) (Reliable Man) as one for punters to stay with.
“She’s getting close to putting her hand up. She was unlucky at Taupo when she didn’t get the rub of the green down on the inside and did well to finish third once she got some room.”
