Marsh chasing four in a row
Stephen Marsh has two strong chances to continue his dominance of Saturday’s two-year-old black type feature at Te Rapa.
The Cambridge trainer will rely on the in-form pair of Santa Catarina and Van Irving to bag him a fourth consecutive win in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1100m).
His roll began with No More Tears’ success in 2015 and was followed by Ugo Foscolo and the now Melbourne-based Ardrossan. This edition’s contenders Santa Catarina and Van Irving go into the race at the top of their game, each with last-start victories to their credit.
The former finished runner-up on debut before the daughter of Savabeel returned to Matamata for a comfortable win on heavy ground.
“She’s pretty smart and she’s always showed us plenty of ability,” Marsh said. “She’s got to be a really good chance.”
Rip Van Winkle filly Van Irving came off a trial placing to make the perfect debut at Rotorua where she finished powerfully to win at the first time of asking.
“She’s probably better-suited over more ground, but she’s pretty smart,” Marsh said.
Danielle Johnson rode both fillies at their last appearances and she will be aboard Santa Catarina while Michael McNab will guide Van Irving.
“Over the 1100m I would lean toward Santa Catarina, she’s a bit sharper but in saying that I wouldn’t write off the other filly,” Marsh said.