Thorndon victory for Auld Floozie
The Marsh attack on Saturday’s Group I Thorndon Mile hit the desired target at Trentham on Saturday.
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh lined-up four runners in the champagne turf’s big race and landed the spoils with number 13, Thee Auld Floozie.
It was number 13 lucky for some, particularly the trainer who has a 10 per cent ownership share and he was surrounded by his happy fellow owners as they celebrated in the birdcage.
‘‘I’m a little 10 per cent shareholder so it’s very sweet,’’ Marsh said. ‘‘It’s great for John and Sue Young who have been with me since the Woodville days.’’
They also bred the Mastercraftsman mare from their five-race winner Thee Auld Hussie.
There to share in the joy was Marsh’s father Bruce, formerly a successful New Zealand trainer before relocating to train in Singapore.
When jockey Rosie Myers asked the mare for an effort, she responded with a devastating sprint that left her rivals scrambling in her wake..
The rank outsider Prince Of Passion, chased in vain to grab second money while in-foal mare Abidewithme flew home from the rear to pip Volkstok’n’barrell for third.
Prince Of Passion paid $18 a place and helped set up a first four that paid a massive $94,095.90.
But all honours were with the victor who was winning for the ninth time boosting her earnings beyond $360,000.
Saturday’s race was keenly contested with strong speed up front, which allowed Myers to relax her mount in a perfect spot.
The time for the Thorndon was 1:35.03, which was nearly two seconds faster than the Desert Gold Stakes earlier in the afternoon.
That tells the story of the way the two races were run, the fillies’ feature was an early dawdle, the Thorndon a hecttic early battle for the lead
‘‘She travelled beautiful throughout,’’ Myers said. ‘‘And she did the rest, she did it very well.’’
She may go to the Group I Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) in a few weeks at Te Rapa but Marsh was happy to revell in Group I glory while he thought about her future.
‘‘She’s a Group I winner now,’’ he said. ‘‘Whatever suits her, we’ll do, maybe the Herbie Dyke.’’
The $400,000 race is on the radar for Volkstok’n’barrell who was taken out of his comfort zone on Saturday by jockey Matthew Cameron who bustled him early to put him into contention.
The way he fought strongly to the line augurs well for his chances when he gets to 2000m.
The race will be Abidewithme’s swansong and the extra distance will also suit her.
The Group II Matamata Breeders Stakes is the aim with impressive juvenile winner Santuzza, a $300,000 yearling purchase trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, earlier on Saturday’s programme
She was ridden by Leith Innes and the combination struck in the following race with Volks Lightning owned by Brendon McCullum’s Vermair Racing.
‘‘It’s great for Brendon McCullum and the rest of the owners to get another win,’’ Debbie Rogerson said.