3 minute read

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is a happy man just days out from a large scale attack on the riches of the three-day Auckland Racing Club Christmas Carnival which kicks off at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

The Marsh team has been on a hot run of form with 19 victories since the 1st of October which sees the stable sitting fifth equal on the national trainer’s premiership ladder with 21 wins at an enviable strike rate of 4.57, the best of the top fourty stables on the table.

Included amongst those recent winners is a trio of classy three-year-old fillies that Marsh will produce in a three-pronged assault on the Gr. 2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day.

“At this stage Sardaaj, Liten Prinsessa and Thee Auld Floozie will all head to the Eight Carat on Boxing Day,” reported Marsh.

“They all deserve a shot at black type and I’m pleased with each of them heading into the race.

“Thee Auld Floozie is probably the only one of the three that will back up in the Royal Stakes on the last day of the carnival as Sardaaj will go to the Levin Classic at Trentham instead while Liten Prinsessa may head to the paddock for a break.”

The Gr. 1 Levin Classic is likely to be the last start from the Marsh stable for Sardaaj as the daughter of Iffraaj was purchased by Victoria’s Rosemont Stud after her maiden win and may head across the Tasman for her future racing after the Trentham feature.

Liten Prinsessa is the full sister to 2013 Karaka Million winner Ruud Awakening who may also be seen on Boxing Day.

“At this stage the plans for Ruud Awakening and Barbaric are a little weather dependent but if we get track conditions to suit they will both go to the Newmarket Handicap on Boxing Day and then on to the Railway Stakes on New Year’s Day” said Marsh.

Exciting two-year-old prospect Rocanto is another who will be seen on New Year’s Day as the son of Per Incanto tackles the Gr. 3 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes following a debut win at Te Rapa.

“Rocanto is really exciting and he franked his trial form with that win at Te Rapa as he had beaten both Windborne and Strata Lady before he made his debut,” noted Marsh.

“He hasn’t looked back after his Te Rapa run and we’ve been able to book James MacDonald to ride him in the Eclipse which is fantastic news.”

Other Marsh runners in action on New Year’s Day will include Cursive in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final, Zedpak and Corundum in the Special Conditions 2100 metre event while Procurement and Bingo will step out in the rating 75 1600m.

“This is definitely the biggest team I’ve ever had for a major carnival so it’s very exciting for the stable as on paper we look to have some real contenders .”