The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Marine (NZ) (Ocean Park) has been sold to clients of Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes and will do his future racing in the Asian racing jurisdiction.
The three-year-old son of Ocean Park has had just four starts, winning on debut before placing behind Zoltan (NZ) (Iffraaj) when racing greenly.
Runner-up in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) behind Vitesse Bo (NZ) (Proisir), Marine over-raced in the early and middle stages of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), clipping the heel of rival Lord Ardmore (NZ) (Reliable Man) and nearly dislodging rider Michael McNab, yet remarkably still finished third behind Aegon (NZ) (Scared Falls).
The gelding, who was part-owned by Diane Pitman, follows Guineas runner-up Bourbonaire (NZ) (Darci Brahma) who has also recently been sold to Hong Kong.
“He has been sold,” Michael Pitman confirmed.
“He is a lovely horse with a lot of upside, and I hope he does well for his new connections.”
The leading Southern stable were in action at the recent New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where they went to $110,000 to secure an Ocean Park gelding out of Flying Change from Kilgravin Lodge as they look to replenish their stocks.
“I was active at the Ready To Run Sales and we had a syndicate of 10 people that put up $25,000 each and I bought another Ocean Park, a Tavistock and a Tarzino with a view to looking at racing and selling them as well,” Pitman said.
“Originally it was only going to be 10 in the syndicate, but with an over-whelming response, it blew out to 12. We had no trouble syndicating them, which is encouraging.”
