Marsh changes Sydney focus

[Chief Stipe]

Multiple stakes-winning sprinter Ardrossan will line up in this Saturday’s Gr. 3 Star Kingdom Stakes at Rosehill.

Stephen Marsh’s focus on the rich Sydney autumn carnival will switch to a feature sprint after having no joy last weekend with his staying three-year-olds.

The Cambridge trainer is hoping for better luck with Ardrossan in the Gr. 3 Star Kingdom Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday after Crown Prosecutor and Vernanme both failed to threaten in the Gr. 1 Rosehill Guineas.

Crown Prosecutor, a son of Medaglia D’Oro, was unable to reproduce the form that saw him score an upset win in the Gr. 1 New Zealand Derby and finished ninth, while Vernanme finished second-last of the 12 runners.

Marsh has pulled the pin on a tilt at the Gr. 1 Australian Derby at Randwick on April 6 with both talented three-year-olds.

“They’re both coming home for a spell,’’ Marsh said. “They’ll have a good break and we’ll look at spring racing for them.

“In Crown Prosecutor’s case, you’ll not see a lot of him in New Zealand next season as he’ll go over to Australia early in his next campaign. He’s done a good job and we had a crack in Sydney, but he’s ready for a spell now, while Vernanme is a horse with a future too. He’s growing a bit and he’ll end up a good horse.’’

While in Sydney, Marsh was able to cast his eye over Ardrossan, who missed a planned first-up run in the Gr. 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick after recording an elevated temperature upon arrival from New Zealand.

The son of Redoute’s Choice showed he was back on track when second in an open 801-metre trial at Warwick Farm last Friday.

‘’He got crook on the way over and he missed a bit of work after that,’’ Marsh said.  ‘’He’s a good-doing bugger and he needed a hitout, so we ran him in the trial last Friday. James McDonald rode him and he was happy with the way he felt and ran.

‘’This race on Saturday will tighten him up again and there’s the Queensland carnival just around the corner, so we could look at that. But we’ll get through Saturday first before making any plans.

‘’He wants a good track to show his best and that’s a bit of a worry the way the weather has been in Sydney lately.’’

Ardrossan left New Zealand as a winner of the Gr. 3 Concorde Handicap at Ellerslie and a last-start third behind Melody Belle in the Gr. 1 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa.

Meanwhile, Glinda Goodwitch is likely to represent Marsh in the Gr. 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday.

The Per Incanto filly has been placed in two of her three starts. In between times she finished seventh in her first black-type assignment, the Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes.

“She’s made it into the Sires’ field, so we’re probably going to have a go,’’ Marsh said.

‘’She ran second to Equinox first-up (who won again last start) and was a good second last time. The only time she missed was when she struck a wet track in the Breeders Stakes. She desperately needs a good track.’’

Marsh plans to also have Decadence and Deels Done in another of the Awapuni features, the Gr. 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic. Decadence capped some useful form with a last-start win over 1600 metres at Te Aroha, while Deels Done won two starts ago at Pukekohe over 1600 metres.

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