Like most trainers at this time of the year, Stephen Marsh has spent plenty of time studying weather forecasts as he prepares to launch a ten-strong team from his Cambridge stable at the Rotorua race meeting on Sunday.
Trainer Tony Pike admitted he had a real sense of satisfaction as he watched progressive mare Churchillian return to winning form at Taupo on Friday at just her third run back from a substantial lay-off due to a hock injury.
Simon and Katrina Alexander came close to winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) a few years ago with their stable star La Crique, and now it looks like they may have another Derby prospect on their hands.
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander have set their sights towards summer targets with their star mare La Crique following yet another runner-up result in last month’s Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa.
Cambridge trainer Shaun Phelan took special satisfaction from an all-the-way win by Pacheco in the $60,000 Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (2600m) at Taupo on Friday.
