Stephen Marsh’s in-form stable will have an array of stakes contenders in action at Matamata this weekend and for one of his younger rising stars it’s all about timing.
The Cambridge trainer has the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) to look forward to with the lightly raced Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan), who will represent The King’s Men in the inaugural event at Ellerslie on March 8.
The slot holder locked in the filly following her impressive last start victory in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), which came off the back of a debut maiden win and a runner-up finish behind fellow Kiwi contender Sought After.
A daughter of Ardrossan, Ardalio will round off her preparation in Saturday’s Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m).
“It’s more of a race for timing and will give us three weeks into the Kiwi. It will top her off nicely,” Marsh said.
“It fits in well and she doesn’t need to go back to Ellerslie, she’s already raced well there.”
Ardalio will be opposed by high quality stablemate Provence (NZ) (Savabeel), who has made impressive progress this preparation and capped off by her last start success in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m).
“She will have to carry a bigger weight and, again, it will top her off well for another Group One (HKJC World Pool NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m),” Marsh said.
“She has done a marvellous job and it’s great for breeder Tony Rider to have a Group One-winning mare by Savabeel.”
Meanwhile, Saturday’s Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) will see Marsh’s promising juveniles To Cap It All and Tale Of The Gypsy (NZ) (Written By) go head-to-head.
The former won the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on debut while Tale Of The Gypsy overcame a wide run at Te Aroha to score at the first time of asking and again covered extra ground when fourth at Ellerslie.
“They are both racing very well and we took them to Tauranga last week for a gallop and they haven’t missed a beat since,” Marsh said.
“They are in great order and it will probably come down to luck in the running.”
Marsh’s representative in the other two-year-old feature, the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m), is first-starter Ammirati (NZ) (Savabeel).
“He’s a Savabeel colt we really like, he’s done nothing wrong and his trials have been good,” he said.
“It’s only a small field and we thought he deserved a crack at a stakes race. He lacks ringcraft, but he has got plenty of ability.”
Rounding off the black-type team is Dundeel mare Doddle (NZ) (Dundeel) in the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m) following an open handicap win at Taupo and a solid second at Tauranga.
“She missed a run in an open 1500m that El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) won when she drew barrier 19 and didn’t feel that was a good fit for her,” Marsh said.
“We’ve put plenty of work into her on the track and we’d love her to get a bit of black type, her form has been good and she’s getting better and better with age.”