By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Multiple Group One winner Provence is looking for a fairytale ending when she heads to Trentham on Saturday to tackle the Gr.1 Listen Live On Sportnation.nz NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
Bred by Tony Rider, the now six-year-old mare has been raced by the Milan Park principal in partnership with Social Racing, for whom she has won seven of her 23 starts for trainer Stephen Marsh, including the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and last year’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.
Two of those Group Ones have been achieved at Trentham, while the latter has been transferred to the Upper Hutt track this year, and Marsh said it would be great to end her stellar career on a high before she is offered at Inglis’ Chairman’s Sale in May.
“She is going great and the mile at Trentham is tailor-made for her,” Marsh said. “It is a very open field and coming back from the 2000m (Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes) certainly doesn’t worry me, her work has been terrific.
“It would be brilliant to go out on a high, she has done a marvellous job – a three-time Group One winner and multiple other placings. She is a great type, so she is going to be very well sought after.”
The daughter of Savabeel also hails from a rich pedigree, being a full-sister to inaugural NZB Kiwi (1500m) and $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) winner Damask Rose.
Provence will be joined in Saturday’s feature by stablemates Queen Zou and Ardalio.
“Both mares are having a bit of a throw at the stumps,” Marsh said. “They will definitely be heading out for a good, long spell after this.
“I really like them, they have both done great jobs this campaign, but you might see better next time in.”
Circus Trix will be out to continue her winning ways for the stable in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m), having won her first start for Marsh last month.
“She is a new horse to the stable, she is a nice filly and has done everything right,” Marsh said. “It looks like getting up over a bit of ground will be ideal for her and she goes into the race extremely well.”
Marsh will also line-up Lady Iris and Tale Of The Gypsy in the Capture Signs Sprint (1200m), but both will have to overcome their wide draws.
“Lady Iris has drawn out a little bit (11) but has got good speed and will jump well,” Marsh said. “She found the track way too wet for her last time and it looks like Wellington has missed the rain, unlike Tauranga.
“She is going really well, but we would have loved a softer gate.
“Tale Of The Gypsy has drawn a bit sticky (13) as well. We have made a little gear adjustment with her, the earmuffs go on. We might try and ride her off the speed a bit more this time. She is very good but is just going to need a bit of luck from that gate.”
Meanwhile, heavy rain has thrown a spanner in the works for Marsh’s northern runners at Te Aroha on Saturday, with the wet conditions already resulting in the abandonment of racing at Tauranga on Sunday.
One runner who is set to line-up regardless of the conditions is Cambridge Stud gelding I’m All In.
Fifth in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day, Marsh has been pleased with his progression ahead of Saturday’s Manco 1150.
Initially lumbered with 60kg, the son of Zoustar will benefit from apprentice jockey Jack Taplin’s three-kilogram claim.
“He gets a bit of weight relief and I think he is a real chance with the claim,” Marsh said.
