Chocante set for spring step up
TRAINER Stephen Marsh is confident Chocante is on track for this year’s Melbourne Cup after the horse’s encouraging third in the Group One Metropolitan at Randwick last Saturday.
Having its third start this campaign, Chocante went down a length and three-quarters to Foundry, and Marsh was optimistic that there is plenty left in the tank as the spring season begins to ramp up.
“I thought it was a great run,” Marsh said.
“He’s improved with each run and there’s more improvement in him.
“Corey (Brown) was more than happy with him and he wants to stick with him.”
Marsh plans to run Chocante next in the St Leger at Randwick on Saturday week, which is being run on the same day as The Everest.
“It’s a new race on Everest day and it’s always been in the back of our minds,” the Cambridge trainer said.
“He’s in the Caulfield Cup, but we’re not hell bent on starting in it. We’ll make the next payment and see how he goes in the St Leger. The Melbourne Cup is the main aim.”
Chocante produced a big first-up effort for third to the champion Winx in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes, before a dissapointing seventh in the Group Two Kingston Town Classic.
Closer to home, Marsh will turn his attention to the Hawke’s Bay meeting on Saturday and Sofia Rosa’s tilt at the Group One Livamol Classic.
Marsh believes the step up in distance will aid the Group One Australian Oaks winner, but admits she needs to lift ater disappointing 10th in the Group One Windsor Park Plate.
“She’s bright enough so I hope she goes well,” Marsh said.