Stablemates Burn To Shine (NZ) (So You Think) and Deels Done (NZ) (Dundeel) loom as top chances at Riccarton where conditions on Saturday will be nigh on perfect for the Stephen Marsh-prepared duo.
Steps up in distance will be relished by the pair who are firmly on target for major assignments during the upcoming New Zealand Cup carnival.
Burn To Shine will run in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) ahead of a crack at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) while Deels Done tackles the NZB Airfreight Road To Jericho (3000m).
So You Think’s son Burn To Shine was a resuming winner at Te Rapa before consecutive visits to Hastings to place in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).
“All his runs have been terrific and last start he probably wasn’t suited going to the front, but he whacked on well,” Marsh said.
“He has drawn nicely to sit in behind the speed and he’s a big improver. I think the mile on the big track at Riccarton suits him ideally and that’s why I wanted to get him down there.”
At the other end of the distance spectrum is the Dundeel gelding Deels Done, who will lap up the marathon trip after two solid lead-up performances over 2000m.
“He will stay all day so it looks a lovey race for him. He’s drawn nicely to put himself right there and 3000m should be perfect for him,” Marsh said.
The race is a qualifying event for the Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool on December 3.
“We’ll see what happens, but he’s probably more of a chance of running in the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m),” Marsh said.
Marsh also has the talented filly Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) among his Pukekohe contenders and another bold showing in the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) will also see her join the Riccarton-based team for a tilt at the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
“She deserves one, but it’s interesting and this is a very even field and 13 winners in it,” Marsh said.
“She has drawn nicely so she gets her chance, but it is a very open affair and if she runs well, she will be heading to Riccarton for sure.”
Stablemate Tossuforit (Zoustar) was an impressive resuming maiden winner at Tauranga, but a wide gate (16) is likely to see her reserved for another day.
“She was very good but is more than likely to wait another week and go to Tauranga for a three-year-old over 1200m, I think it’s too big an ask from that gate,” Marsh said.
He also believed the consistent Winning For All (Shooting To Win) to be a strong hope in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Handicap (1200m), while Gee Cee (NZ) (Sacred Falls) has an opportunity to turn his fortune around in the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series (1500m).
“Winning For All is going well and Gee Cee was unlucky at her last start,” Marsh said.The former has placed in both outings this preparation while Gee Cee finished runner-up at Tauranga two runs back before she was unplaced at Hastings where she was unable to find clear air in the straight.
