Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh’s phone will likely be ringing red-hot following Penman’s win at Tauranga on Friday.
The $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) is fast approaching and many of the slot holders have yet to show their hand and select their contender, and Marsh believes his classy three-year-old is the perfect candidate.
The son of Contributer finished runner-up in his first two outings last year before breaking through for his maiden win over 1400m at Te Rapa last month and showed his class on Friday when running out a dominant victor in the Aerocool Developments (1400m).
Jumping from the ace barrier in a small but competitive field, Penman began well under jockey George Rooke, who quickly handed up the lead to Gold Card, who kept an honest tempo up front, opening up several lengths on his rivals during the middle stages of the race.
Rooke didn’t panic and slowly reeled in their foe and took the lead at the turn in unison with stablemate Tardelli on the outside. The pair entered a dogfight down the straight, with Penman coming out on top in the closing stages to score by 2-3/4 lengths, with a further 7-1/2 lengths back to NZB Kiwi contender Domain Ace in third.
“I have just taken my phone off silent just in case a (NZB Kiwi) slot holder would like to ring,” Marsh quipped. “It was very impressive.
“He jumped nice, Gold Card, as I thought, wanted to really run along a bit, and he got a beautiful trail. It looked like it was going to be a bit of a titanic struggle with the two stablemates, but he was good in the end.”
Marsh was also pleased with Tardelli’s efforts, but said distance will be his friend.
“I wonder if he is just looking for a little bit further,” he said. “Blinkers on, he just needs to maybe sharpen up a bit. Up to a mile next start will suit him a lot more.”
While hopeful of gaining an NZB Kiwi berth with Penman, Marsh said both of his three-year-olds have bright futures.
“They are two very nice horses that are certainly going places,” he said.
Marsh was back in the winner’s stall later on the card when stakes winner Glamour Tycoon took out the Emac Electrical 1200.
Racing in the colours of Bourbon Lane Stable, the daughter of Written Tycoon has now won three and placed in six of her 14 starts, including victory in the Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m), and has earned more than $165,000 in prizemoney.
