Marsh doubles down in Karaka Million 3YO

Stephen Marsh may not have a runner in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, but he has doubled down on the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).

The Cambridge trainer will be represented by Miss Ella and Leading Man in the rich feature and he is particularly excited about the former’s chances after her 9-3/4 length victory at Rotorua last month.

“The blinkers really switched her on (at Rotorua). We have always thought a lot of her and I think she has gone right ahead from that run as well,” Marsh said.

“She is going super and her work has been good.

“Michael (McNab, jockey) came in and galloped her on Tuesday, she has been up to Auckland for a gallop.

“The draw (1) is perfect and she is going to put herself up on the speed and I think she is a real chance in this race.”

Marsh will also be represented by Leading Man who will be ridden from gate 13 by Matt Cameron.

“He is going along alright,” Marsh said. “It is more of a throw at the stumps with him. The race is $1 million and we qualify for it, so we are having a go.

“He has drawn out a bit but he will run some sort of race, but we are just hopeful there.”

Marsh is also looking forward to lining up last start winner Iconic Star in the Gr.3 Brighthill Farm Eminent First Yearlings Concorde Handicap (1200m).

“She gets into this race on the minimum (53kg) and she has drawn (7) out a little bit but she has got very good early gate speed. She will go forward,” Marsh said.

“We bought her from Australia from a tried sale and would love to get a bit of black-type here and then sell her back on the Gold Coast in June.

“That is the plan and her work has been very good.”

 

George Ryder target for Mo’unga

New Zealand-bred gelding Mo’unga proved himself at weight-for-age level in the spring and trainer Annabel Neasham is looking forward to testing him against Australia’s best once again this autumn.

The son of Savabeel won first-up in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) in September before finishing runner-up behind Incentivise in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

He then went on to finish handily in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) before finishing his campaign off with a third placing in the Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).

“He has certainly proven that he is up to those weight-for-age horses,” Neasham told RacingHQ.

“I thought his best runs were his first two over the 1400m and mile, he was just beaten in the Makybe Diva.”

Neasham is looking forward to gearing up for the autumn, with the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) highlighted as his major target.

“At this stage I am thinking we might just keep him at those slightly shorter trips,” Neasham said.

“We know he can get 2000m, but we think he is possibly a little bit better over the shorter trips.

“I think something like a George Ryder would be a good option for him.”

Mo’unga was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Aquis Farm for $325,000.