Stephen Marsh will have numbers on his side on Saturday when he looks to build on his personal best tally of black type winners in a season.
The Cambridge trainer has 14 stakes victories to his credit, two behind the Te Akau duo of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and he will be heavy handed in two of the feature contests at Ellerslie.
Marsh has Kiwi Skyhawk, Bourbon Proof and Roctave in the Group 3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) with Sneak Peek on the ballot and Little Black Dress, Lady Iris and Mazino to look forward to in the Listed Skycity Star Way Stakes (1200m).
He also has Tardelli set to take on the older horses in Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) with regular rider Michael McNab to guide the three-year-olds chances and a wider gate (12) isn’t a concern.
“I don’t mind the draw for him, it will give him a little bit of room to move and it certainly won’t worry him,” Marsh said.
“There’s a good run down the back straight from the mile and with McNab on, I’m very keen on him.”
Tardelli was successful on the course two runs back before he was unplaced after clipping heels in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m).
Of his trio in the Championship Stakes, Marsh is leaning toward impressive last start Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) winner Kiwi Skyhawk with Matt Cartwright retaining the ride.
“He has a beautiful gate in one and Bourbon Proof has 18, which won’t make it easy for him, and I’m happy with them both but Kiwi Skyhawk was great last time so the draws very much favour him,” he said.
“They will go to the paddock after this, they’ve both had solid campaigns.
“Roctave is only coming out of a maiden distance race and won it very well, we know he’s good and strong and he’s certainly a sneaky chance.”
Star Way Stakes contenders Little Black Dress and Lady Iris won their respective debuts at Pukekohe and Matamata while Mazino was runner-up behind the former at the first time of asking.
“They are three nicely bred fillies that deserve their chances at black type,” Marsh said.
“The way Little Black Dress won, I think I’d learn her way if she gets a touch of luck from the draw (nine).”
Wiremu Pinn will be on Little Black Dress again, George Rooke guides Lady Iris and Courtney Barnes partners Mazino.
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