Sofia Rosa to clash with Aussie superstar?
Stephen Marsh will set Sofia Rosa’s autumn programme in stone after she runs at Otaki on Saturday.
His dream goal for the mare is the A$4 million Group I Queen Elizabeth Stakes, putting her in line for a clash with Australian wonder horse Winx, but he will temporarily put thoughts of a path to the April 8 feature at Randwick on hold with his immediate focus on the Group I Haunui Farm Classic AT weight-for-age level.
Sofia Rosa opened her current campaign on an encouraging note when she finished seventh in the Group I NRM Sprint at Te Rapa a fortnight ago.
‘‘She got a long way back in the running and she got home really well over the last bit,’’ Marsh said.
‘‘I would have liked three weeks between runs, but that can’t be helped. In saying that, she bounced through the run really nicely and we expect her to go well again.
‘‘We will confirm the programme after the weekend. She could go to the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes or we could go straight to Australia and take it from there.’’
Sofia Rosa failed to come up last spring following her autumn success in Sydney in the Group I ATC Oaks. ‘‘She’s just a different horse this time around,’’ Marsh said.
TAB Bookmakers have opened Kawi as a $2.20 favourite with Sofia Rosa the current third favourite at $5.50.
The Allan Sharrock-trained Kawi will be ridden by in form jockey Jason Waddell for the first time on race day.
Start Wondering, who won the Group I NRM Sprint (1400m) in his last start for Wanganui trainers Evan and J J Rayner, is second in the line of betting at $3.20.
Barrier draws will not be an excuse with Start Wondering starting from barrier one, Kawi immediately to his outside and Sofia Rosa will jump from gate four.
Meanwhile, the Marsh stable also has a Group I autumn domestic target for at least one of their mares.
‘‘Thee Auld Floozie had a small let-up after she won the Thorndon and she’ll kick off again in the Westbury Classic and that will top her off nicely for the New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha,’’ Marsh said.
Group III winner Serious Satire is also in the mix for the Breeders’ Stakes and can earn a start at her next appearance.
‘‘She’ll probably run in a rating 85 at Ellerslie, she wants a mile now, and after that she could go to Te Aroha,’’ Marsh said. ‘‘The race I really want to get her to later is the Travis Stakes.’’
But Marsh has decided on a patient approach with his stakes winning filly She Brings Joy.
The daughter of Sebring, bred and raced by Kevin Hickman, has been ruled out of the Group I Wellfield New Zealand Oaks.
‘‘She’s out until the spring,’’ Marsh said. ‘‘She’s a big, strong, heavy-topped horse and she puts a bit of pressure on her legs so we’ve decided to give her a decent break.’’
– NZ Racing Desk.