Stephen Marsh hoping to send pair to Queensland
Stablemates Mark Two and Pierrocity are a run away from booking trips to Brisbane. Strong performances from the Stephen Marsh-trained pair next time out will see them chase age group honours at the Queensland winter carnival.
“Mark Two will kick off again in a maiden mile at Avondale on April 25 and if she can win that she will go over,” the Cambridge conditioner said.
Mark Two hasn’t raced since she finished fifth in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at just her fourth raceday appearance.
The Pins filly had previously run second in the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and fourth in the Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m).
Pierrocity acquitted herself well in her first attempt at a middle distance when runner-up over 2100m at Pukekohe Park at her latest start.
“She’ll run next on April 21 in the Valachi Downs Champion Stakes,” Marsh said. “She’ll have blinkers on and I believe she’s still on track.
“There’s a flight on May 4 and if they go they will both run in the Doomben Roses and then the Queensland Oaks.”
The fillies will join their stablemate Chocante, who arrived safe and sound in Sydney earlier this week before travelling on to Brisbane.
He was due to have an outing in the open sprint at Te Aroha last Saturday, but Marsh decided against running the son of Shocking. “He’s coming up really well and he didn’t need to run on a firmish track with 60kg,” he said.
Last year’s Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) winner will run in the Listed Tails Stakes (1600m) at Doomben on April 21 followed by the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast two weeks later and then the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 19.