Trainer Stephen Marsh believed he had two live chances going into the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Years Day, and that judgement proved spot on as his lightweight runner Bourbon Empress downed a talented line-up of milers to claim victory.
The four-year-old daughter of Proisir had caught the eye when finishing a hard-charging second in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, notably a race that stablemate and race rival Provence had missed in favour of a start (and victory) in the Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) on the same day.
Marsh found it hard to split the pair leading into the feature mile and felt luck in running might play a role in the final outcome. That was exactly how it played out as Bourbon Empress and rider Matt Cartwright found clear running wider out in the home straight as Provence and Sam Spratt were cluttered up behind runners desperately searching for room in the final 300m.
Bourbon Empress swooped to the front at that point with the well-supported Jaarffi on her inner, and that pair slugged it out to the finish, which went in favour of the Marsh runner by just under a length with Uderzo holding out a late charge from the unlucky Provence to finish third.
2025 Group 2 Rich Mile Replay – Bourbon Empress
Marsh was all smiles and delighted the planning for an assault on the race had paid off so well for his team.
“That was ultra satisfying as we were worried about her wide draw (12), although you then get Provence who was drawn on the fence (1) and didn’t get any luck,” Marsh said.
“She was three wide with cover and when she came out you could see she was going to finish it off.
“That race (the Stella Artois Final) has been a great race for us as a lead-up and she has run really well today and will keep improving.
“She loves it here at Ellerslie and there is a nice race for her here on Karaka Millions night, so she can have a wee breather and come back for that.”
The race Marsh was referring to is the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) for the four-year-olds on January 25.
Cartwright was also rapt to secure a big race victory on the mare who he has ridden in three of her four career wins.
“I’ve been riding this horse most of her prep and she is a mare that just wants to please you,” he said.
“She was down in the weights and got a good run and she showed what she has got.
“She has threatened to be up to this sort of class if everything went her way and it did today.
“It got a bit sticky as she missed the kick, so I just put her away and we followed the second horse (Jaarffi) three-wide but with a good cart into the race and she got there nicely with the light weight (53kgs).
“She is still green as she ran in but there is room there for improvement in the future.”
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