Quality filly strengthens trainer’s Guineas hand

Love Poem’s progress this preparation earned the gifted filly an earlier than anticipated flight to Christchurch to bolster Stephen Marsh’s hand in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
The daughter of Snitzel put up a compelling argument to join stablemate Kiwi Skyhawk in Saturday’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored Classic and their Cambridge trainer can’t split the pair.

“They have both done super jobs, I think it will come down to luck in the running,” he said.

“It wasn’t always the plan to run her, but we thought it would be a small field and for the last few weeks we’ve come closer to running her, she’s been going so well.”

Love Poem, who has raced almost exclusively in black type company during her short career, enjoyed a trouble-free trip south.

“It was basically six hours from box to box, she floated to Auckland in the early hours of Wednesday morning to get on the plane,” Marsh said.

“She had a great run down, no hold ups and she’s there happy and relaxed.”

To be ridden again by Matthew Cartwright, Love Poem placed in all three of her outings last season in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), the Gr.3 Taranaki Classic (1200m) and the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m).

She then returned to effortlessly break her maiden and didn’t have the best of runs when a last-start third in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).

A bold showing on Saturday will confirm another two-pronged Classic attack for Marsh in Saturday week’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

“We’ll keep a very watchful eye on her and if she comes through it well, then she’ll definitely back up,” he said.

“Sexy And I Moet will fly down and she’ll line up as well with Sam Weatherley to ride her.

“She’s done a really good job, her runs have all been terrific. We’ll apply the side winkers on her and she’ll eat up the mile at Riccarton.”

Kiwi Skyhawk goes into the Guineas off the back of a third placing in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m).

“He was just totally inconvenienced on that really wet track the other day, it was as heavy as you could get, but he’s taken no harm from it and back on a good track he’s right in play,” Marsh said.

“He’s well and just hasn’t missed a beat since that last race. Michael McNab will take the reins, he’s back and in fine form.”

The stable’s other runner at Riccarton is Nest Egg, who will defend his title in the Listed Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) ahead of bidding to go one better in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m).

“He’ll have the blinkers back on and he’s flying, going really well,” Marsh said.

“Matt (Cartwright) will ride him with 53.5kg on his back, he gets into the race beautifully.”

Marsh will also have two black type contenders in action at Te Rapa on Saturday with last season’s Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) winner Mercurial and proven first-up performer Provence in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m).

“Mercurial will have the blinkers back on and he’s had a run under his belt. He will improve with the run again and when the Group Ones come around, he’ll be really ready to fire,” he said.

“Provence is coming up really well and 1200m is short of her best, I think she can win a big mile at some stage this season.”

Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)