Future staying prospect unearthed at Te Rapa
Racing pundits looking for potential prospects for feature events later in the season would do well to write the name of Cambridge mare So Wicked in their little black books.
The Street Cry four-year-old broke her maiden status with a dominant display over 1600m at Te Rapa on Saturday, with trainer Stephen Marsh enthusiastic about her potential to reach greater heights.
Sent out a warm favourite in the maiden contest, So Wicked never looked in any danger of defeat once rider Danielle Johnson secured a perfect trail close to the pace in the early rush for position.
Angled to the middle of the track in the run home, So Wicked glided clear of her rivals as she maintained a strong gallop to the winning post to comfortably hold out second favourite Van Diamond, who also closed off well.
“I was giggling coming to the corner as she (Johnson) just had her in the best position,” Marsh said.
“Her form-line has been getting better and better, as have her racing manners, so it was nice to see her put that field away.”
Marsh will take a patient approach with the mare who he believes will be at her best later in the season.
“We’ll see how she comes through this one, but I think she will be better in the autumn,” he said.
“We’re not going to do too much as she’s one of those horses who will just keep on improving.
“She will go a mile again next time. She’s a slow maturer so we will take our time with her as next prep there will be a nice 2000m or similar race, maybe a Cup, for her.”
So Wicked was bred by David Paykel, who races the mare with wife Angela. She is the first foal of their useful staying mare So Pristine who numbers the 2011 Dunstan Stayers Championship Final (2200m) at Ellerslie among her six career victories.