Marsh stable readies stable stars for big Riccarton Group 1 races
TRAINER Stephen Marsh will have representatives in both group one events at Riccarton later this month.
The Cambridge trainer has the progressive Sumstreetsumwhere on target for the Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas and Campari and Pierrocity for the New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
“Sumstreetsumwhere has come through his last race in great style,” Marsh said.
At its third start, the Highly Recommended three-year-old won for the second time when successful in the Group Two James & Annie Sarten Memorial.
While the horse has yet to win on anything better than a Dead 6 track, Marsh is optimistic of Sumstreetsumwhere performing on improved footing.
“He hasn’t struck one on race day, but his gallops at home on better ground have been good,” he said.
Sumstreetsumwhere’s female stablemates are also in good heart for the trip south with Campari continuing its strong form without major reward.
The daughter of O’Reilly has runner-up finishes behind both Sumstreetsumwhere and Te Akau Shark and at its latest appearance the horse ran third in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie behind multiple stakes winner Dijon Bleu.
“Campari’s run in the Soliloquy was very good,” Marsh said.
“She got lost that way around and looked a beaten horse 200m out and then got going again.
“I’ve always rated Pierrocity highly and she’s going to eat up a mile at Riccarton.”
The daughter of Pierro and the multiple group one winner Dane Ripper was fourth in both its opening two runs before the horse posted an impressive win over 1600m at Te Rapa.
“She deserves her chance at Riccarton,” Marsh said