So You Think G1 NZ 2000 Guineas Contender

Media Release - Friday November 10

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping to hit the ground running as New Zealand Cup Week kicks off in Christchurch this weekend.

Marsh will saddle a pair of impressive last-start winners in feature races on the opening day of the carnival at Riccarton on Saturday, with Burn To Shine lining up in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 51st New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Nest Egg contesting the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m).

Burn to Shine will contest Saturday's Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 51st 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Marsh is shooting for a second victory in the 2000 Guineas, having previously captured the prestigious classic with Ugo Foscolo in 2016. He had the narrowest of near-misses four years later, when Bourbonaire was beaten by Aegon by a desperate nose in 2020.

This year Marsh will be represented by Burn To Shine, racing in the white and blue colours of owner-breeder The Oaks Stud.

Advertisement

The So You Think gelding has never finished further back than third in his six-start career, and his last-start performance was the best of his career so far – beating Trobriand and Lantern Way in a strong victory over the Guineas course and distance in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) on October 28.

Burn To Shine will be ridden by Johnathan Parkes and is rated a $12 second favourite behind dominant market leader Crocetti ($1.45).

“It was a fantastic win last time out,” Marsh said. “He had his final serious hit-out on Tuesday morning. He was able to gallop on the course proper, which was in beautiful order. It was lovely work and he pulled up perfectly.

“It’s a small, but very select Guineas field. We have the advantage of being settled in down there already, with a winning run over the mile at the course under our belt. Parkesy sticks with the ship. I think we’ve had a perfect preparation.”

Nest Egg not only goes into Saturday’s Metropolitan Trophy as a $4 favourite for that race, but he is also the $6 favourite for the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) the following Saturday.

The Reliable Man gelding was a commanding last-start winner over 2400m at Te Rapa, taking control at the top of the straight and outclassing his Rating 84 rivals by three and a half lengths.

“He has been on a New Zealand Cup path all the way through this spring, and it was really pleasing to see him put away a talented field in good style last start,” Marsh said. “On a good track, stepping up in distance and with blinkers back on, he was terrific.

“He’s been brilliant since then. I can’t fault him at all. I don’t think we could have him any better.

“They’ve had a bit of rain down there in the early part of the week, which should mean the track will just have a little bit of the fire out of it. That will really help him for the back-up into the Cup the following weekend.”

Marsh will also keep an eye on Saturday’s northern meeting at Te Rapa, where he has more than a dozen horses entered including three in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) – well-performed veteran Tightlign, last-start Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) placegetter Jodelin Gal, and the emerging mare Lincoln Lady, who has won all of her last four in a row. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
So You think 3YO Looking to Give The Oaks Stud Guineas Glory
The Oaks Stud has a great association with the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the Cambridge farm are hoping to extend their legacy in the Riccarton Classic next month with Burn To Shine.
So You Think 3YO Wins G3 War Decree Stakes
So You Think gelding Burn To Shine threw his name into the mix of serious contenders for the Group I Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) next month with a determined effort to take out the Group III War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.
Stakes Next for So You Think’s Burn To Shine
Trainer Stephen Marsh looks to be in for a good spring with a pair of promising gallopers, after Burn To Shine and Financier provided the quinella in the Ardrossan 1200 (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.