Codigo is bidding to kick-start what Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping can be a memorable week for his two-year-olds.
Marsh will produce the Ardrossan gelding in Saturday’s Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham at just his second start after an all-the-way debut win at Matamata this month.
The Wellesley sits just seven days prior to New Zealand’s richest two-year-old race, the Doubletree By Hilton Karaka Million (1200m) at Pukekohe, in which Marsh will saddle leading contender Ulanova.
Marsh said he doubted he could have either horse going any better and was optimistic Codigo could secure the first leg of a memorable double.
“He was terrific at Matamata. He drew wide and we had to use him a bit early. He looked headed by the favourite but kicked back strongly to win nicely and he’s only improved since then too,” Marsh said.
“He’s really come on well. It might have been nice to have another week between runs but he’s got a brilliant temperament and if there was any two-year-old you could back up a bit quicker, it would be him.
“His first trial was great and his second trial, he just got caught wide but still won well. He’s just shown it all from day one; very natural.”
Marsh produced Codigo’s sire Ardrossan to win two stakes races, including the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie, as well as placings in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa and the Gr.3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill before he was retired to Waikato Stud as a stallion.
It was through that connection that Marsh was approached to train Codigo.
“Dame Lowell Goddard bred him and her and Mark Chittick now race him together. Mark asked me to go out and have a look at him at the farm and said if I liked him, I could train him.
“He’s an absolutely cracking type. We trained Ardrossan and he’s quite a similar type so I guess Mark thought he’d fit the bill for our stable.”
TAB bookmakers have Codigo as a $2.80 favourite for the Wellesley Stakes ahead of the Mark Walker-trained Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) winner Sky On Fire at $3.80.
“Most of the two-year-olds are focused on next weekend so it has made this a lighter race and that gives him his chance,” Marsh said.
“Having Michael McNab sticking with the ship and drawing barrier one, we couldn’t ask for more. He’ll go well and we really rate him. He’ll be right in the finish.”
Marsh also reported that Ulanova was tracking exactly as he wanted leading into the Karaka Million.
“She galloped this (Friday) morning and she’s going great,” he said.
“She’ll head up to Pukekohe on Monday and gallop in company there. She’s a big improver out of her last-start Eclipse Stakes (1200m) run and Craig Grylls sticks with the ship. She’ll strip a much better, fitter horse. She’s come on leaps and bounds since. She’ll be cherry ripe.”
Marsh has 11 entries for Trentham on Saturday as well as Raposa Rapida tackling the Hope & Sons 1400 at Wingatui.
He was expecting an improved run from last-start Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) favourite Encierro in the Gr.3 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (1600m).
“I really like him. Things didn’t suit last time but I thought he could bounce back to form,” Marsh said.
“He drew terribly last start and got a long way out of his ground but he hit the line well and his sectionals were good. He’s drawn better this time and I thought he was a really strong chance.”
Academy Award has drawn barrier 17 for the Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) but Marsh was happy with her condition.
“It’s a strong Guineas and she’s drawn a horror gate, which certainly isn’t going to help her chances but she’s going terrific and this will really hone her for the Desert Gold Stakes (1600m, Gr,3 at Trentham on January 28) next start. She’s going well but will need a lot of luck.”
Masetto rounds out Marsh’s black-type hopes in the Gr.3 Mode Technology Trentham Stakes (2100m).
“He’s well out in the market but the set weights and penalties suits,” Marsh said.
