Marzemino an exciting prospect

Four-year-old mare Marzemino has been a work in progress for Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams, but the penny looks to be dropping judging by her strong win over 1200m in rating 82 grade at Te Aroha on Saturday.

The daughter of Per Incanto was given a text-book ride by Andrew Calder behind the leaders and cruised to victory when asked for an effort in the straight.

“She is a nice horse, she has just been a slow developer and we have been taking our time with her,” Peter Williams said.

“I think she is up to Group company. We have just got to guide her through it and I think she’ll be a better horse next season.

“Even the Thoroughbreds Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) wouldn’t be out of her way next year.”

Williams said Marzemino would have one more run this campaign before going for a spell and he has no issues in trying the mare, who has never raced beyond 1200m, over more ground.

“I don’t think stepping up to 1400m will be a problem,” Williams said.

“She settled beautifully the other day and she is starting to get a bit adaptable. You can ride her wherever you like and she is a lot more settled now.”

Meanwhile, Williams said that Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) heroine Media Sensation is also likely to have one more run for the season after finding the line well for fourth behind Kingsguard at Ellerslie last start.

“We are very happy with her,” Williams said.

“She is going to the Cambridge Breeder’s Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) and then she will probably go out for a spell after that.”

 Australian campaign for Ballymore trio

Group One winner On the Rocks will attempt to add another black-type win to his record at Ellerslie later this month when he contests the Gr.2 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).

If everything goes to plan, the four-year-old son of Alamosa will head across the Tasman after that run in an attempt to plunder Queensland’s winter spoils.

The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained entire has had a lucrative four-year-old campaign to date, winning the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day before taking out the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in February.

“On the Rocks will have a run in the Easter before flying to Brisbane, in preparation for the Doomben Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) on May 18 and the Brisbane Cup (Gr.2, 2400m) on June 8,” Gerard said.

He will be joined on his trans-Tasman trip by stablemates Pinmedown and She’s A Thief.

Dual Group winner Pinmedown will target the Gr.2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 18, while stakes performer She’s A Thief will be aimed at the Listed Bright Shadow Stakes (1200m).