Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has lower North Island assignments for a pair of his higher profile gallopers over the coming weeks.
Five-year-old gelding Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly) will contest the Gr.3 Powerworx Taranaki Cup (1800m) on Saturday after being well-held in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day, while in-form mare Tabata (NZ) (Savabeel) is nominated for the Listed Property Brokers Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Tauherenikau on Monday.
Despite dropping back in grade with Vernanme, Marsh is concerned that he again meets Group One winner Concert Hall among a strong line-up in Saturday’s Group Three.
“Probably bringing him back to the 1800m looks ideal,” Marsh said.
“It is a good field though with horses like Group One winner Concert Hall, it is very tidy.
“He has drawn nicely (barrier eight) with Michael McNab on and visor blinkers. He should be able to run a real race I would have thought, but it is a very tidy field.”
Meanwhile, impressive last start Trentham winner Tabata is likely to take her place at stakes level on Monday for owner Brendon McCullum.
“She may well take her place, I just have to talk to Brendon,” Marsh said.
“Again, it is one of the nicest fields that the race has come up with for a while. We have a few options with her, we may just pay up and see what we draw but she is a good mare and she certainly deserves some black-type but whether we have a crack at weight for age yet or not, we will just work it out closer to the time.”
