With the prospect of Group One glory both now and in the spring, Saturday looms as an exciting afternoon for Stephen Marsh.
The Cambridge trainer will saddle Antrim Coast as a live contender for the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville, while the unbeaten two-year-old Super Photon can confirm his Group One credentials for next season with another bold performance in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Antrim Coast will attempt to become the second Group One winner in Australia for Marsh, who won the Australian Oaks (2400m) in Sydney with Sofia Rosa in 2016.
Carrying the blue and white colours of The Oaks Stud, Antrim Coast lined-up as a $157 outsider in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and produced an enormous performance for second behind star filly Orchestral.
Two subsequent performances in Australia have further proven Antrim Coast’s big-race quality. He defeated fellow Kiwi three-year-old Quintessa to win the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, then ran a close and unlucky second in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 6.
“I thought it was another really good run at Caulfield,” Marsh said. “The jockey (Daniel Stackhouse) got off him and admitted he just took off way too early and was left a sitting duck in the straight. That’s not the way to ride him at all. He’s a good rider, but just made a mistake that day. These things happen.
“Mick Dee is back on him on Saturday. He rode him to win the Alister Clark at Moonee Valley two starts ago. I think gate six is a lovely draw. He should get into a nice position from there and have a beautiful run.
“His work has been very good leading into the race. He’s been up for a few dances now, but he’s still really going super. We couldn’t be any happier with him.”
The TAB rates Antrim Coast a $6.50 chance for Saturday’s Derby, sharing second favouritism with fellow Kiwi-bred Warmonger. The $4.40 favourite is Coco Sun, who is backing up from a third placing in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).
Meanwhile on home soil, Marsh will saddle exciting colt Super Photon in Te Rapa’s Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes.
The son of Super Seth is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner and recently announced Newhaven Park stallion Mo’unga, and he was a $380,000 purchase at Karaka last year by Stephen Marsh Racing, Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock.
Super Photon made a big impression on debut at Rotorua on April 17, winning by three and a quarter lengths. The runner-up was Magice, a trial-winning full-brother to the Group One winner and sire Noverre.
“That was a lovely performance on debut, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Marsh said. “Going from 1150m up to 1400m is a decent jump for a two-year-old, but we’re very happy with him and we’re keen to give him a crack at some black type before we put him away for the winter.
“He’s gone the right way since Rotorua. He hasn’t put a foot wrong at any stage of this preparation and his work has been excellent.
“Whatever he’s doing now is a bonus, because I think he’ll be even better at three. We’re looking forward to targeting the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) in Christchurch in November.”
Stablemate Magna Memory will have a gear change following a well-beaten seventh in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on April 20.
“I really liked his first-up run,” Marsh said. “He was a bit disappointing the other day, but I think he just got a bit lost and unfocussed. I put some blinkers on him for a gallop on Saturday and thought he was much improved with them on.
“Going up to 1400m will suit him. Hopefully he’ll be working home well, and then I think you’ll see a better horse again when he gets up to 1600m in the Champagne Stakes later in the month.”
Super Photon is a $3.60 second favourite in the TAB’s market for the Te Rapa feature, with Magna Memory at $51.
