Track has trainer guessing with Van Irving
Stephen Marsh isn’t quite sure what to expect of his two-year-olds who are chasing black type honours at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
The Cambridge trainer has Sol Invictus and Van Irving in the Listed Ssangyong Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) and the prospect of a Heavy 11 track has left him guessing as to the outcome.
“It was bottomless there for the last meeting and it might be worse this time, I don’t really know how they’ll handle it,” Marsh said.
To be ridden by Troy Harris, the Haradasun colt Sol Invictus placed at the trials before he finished third behind Grand Ariana, a race rival again, at Waipukurau.
“I think he may cop the heavy track better than the filly and the 1400m will suit him,” Marsh said.
Van Irving was an impressive debut winner at Rotorua and she was then luckless when unplaced under Harris in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1100m) behind her stablemate Santa Caterina.
“She’s a good filly and she didn’t get the rub of the green last time out,” Marsh said.
“Troy came back and said if he had got clear air all the way she would have been right in it.” A daughter of Rip Van Winkle, Van Irving is expected to be an even more potent proposition as a three-year-old.
“I like her and you’ll see her in some good races next season,” Marsh said.
Meanwhile, he wouldn’t be surprised by a form turnaround at Doomben from Ruud Not Too, who tailed the field home in last Saturday’s Listed Bright Shadow Stakes (1200m).
“At the speed they run 1200m races over there she was run off her feet,” Marsh said. “She’s done it before, run a poor one and then won, so she can bounce back.” She will be ridden by Jim Byrne in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1630m).