Talented three-year-old Hoard The Bourbon (NZ) (Iffraaj) was one of the eye-catching runners in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and trainer Stephen Marsh is keen to push on towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 6.
The son of Iffraaj, who sports the colours of last year’s Guineas runner-up Bourbonaire, came from last on the home turn to charge home into fifth and will be suited stepping out to a mile.
“I thought the run was outstanding,” Marsh said.
“He got back on the rail and they didn’t go overly hard but when he got out late he hit the line extremely well.
“He is on a path to the 2000 Guineas and I think once he gets to the mile at a big track like Riccarton, you will see a lot better horse for sure.
“We think he is pretty high-class.”
The handsome colt will step out at Te Rapa on October 25, where the Gr.2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) is one of a number of options.
“I will nominate him for the Sarten, but there is a maiden 1400m and a maiden mile on the same day, so we will keep our options open,” Marsh said.
“He will run in one of those races and then fly down late in the piece to Riccarton. He is a colt and I don’t really want to take him out of his (home) environment for too long.”
