Classy three-year-old Love Poem overcame a wide barrier draw and her tenacious stablemate I’m All In to score fresh-up at Tauranga in the J Swap Contractors 3YO (1200m).
The Stephen Marsh-prepared filly hadn’t been seen since finishing a meritorious fourth in the Group.1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton back in November last year.
Given a decent summer break by Marsh, the Group One-placed daughter of Snitzel was fitted for her raceday return when finishing hard held in behind Damask Rose and Babylon Berlin in an open 1100m trial at Taupo last month.
Under assessment for a potential autumn campaign in Sydney, Love Poem made a strong beginning for rider Matt Cartwright and sat outside I’m All In as the Marsh pair dominated proceedings from the front.
Rounding the home bend, they slipped clear to stage a titanic, stride-for-stride battle that went in favour of Love Poem by a neck at the winning post.
Marsh was delighted with both runners and is keen to test Love Poem at stakes level in Sydney in the coming weeks.
“I was hoping (the finish) was going to be like that, as it was a great struggle with six lengths back to the third horse,” Marsh said.
“They are two nice three-year-olds who certainly didn’t let us down.
“She (Love Poem) will head to Sydney nnow,where her first race will be in three weeks over 1200m at Randwick.
“After that, there is another three-year-old fillies 1400m we are also looking at.
“The second horse (I’m All In) also went super, and he will pick up a win at short notice.
Marsh was referring to the Group.3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) that will be run on the first day of the Star Championships at Randwick on 5 AApril, while the Group.3 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) is held at the venue a fortnight later.
Racing in the colours of Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, Love Poem was bought by Bruce Perry for A$280,000 as a yearling in Sydney.
She is a half-sister to the classy Ciaron Maher-trained mare Estriella, whose 13-start career has so far produced five wins headed by the Group.2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m).
Their dam, the Lonhro mare Madrigals, is a full sister to multiple Group One winner and quality sire Pierro.
Love Poem placed in last season’s Group.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), Group.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m), and has continued that trend during her three-year-old season with placings in the Group.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and the Group.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
She has now won two of her eight starts for just over $251,000 in prizemoney
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