Love Poem Looking to Continue Snitzel Winning Run

Media Release - Wednesday November 6

Love Poem’s progress this preparation earned the gifted filly an earlier than anticipated flight to Christchurch to bolster Stephen Marsh’s hand in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

The daughter of Snitzel put up a compelling argument to join stablemate Kiwi Skyhawk in Saturday’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored Classic and their Cambridge trainer can’t split the pair.

Love Poem will contest Saturday's Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

“They have both done super jobs, I think it will come down to luck in the running,” he said.

“It wasn’t always the plan to run her, but we thought it would be a small field and for the last few weeks we’ve come closer to running her, she’s been going so well.”

Love Poem, who has raced almost exclusively in black type company during her short career, enjoyed a trouble-free trip south.

“It was basically six hours from box to box, she floated to Auckland in the early hours of Wednesday morning to get on the plane,” Marsh said.

Advertisement

“She had a great run down, no hold ups and she’s there happy and relaxed.”

To be ridden again by Matthew Cartwright, Love Poem placed in all three of her outings last season in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), the Gr.3 Taranaki Classic (1200m) and the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m).

She then returned to effortlessly break her maiden and didn’t have the best of runs when a last-start third in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).

A bold showing on Saturday will confirm another two-pronged Classic attack for Marsh in Saturday week’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

“We’ll keep a very watchful eye on her and if she comes through it well, then she’ll definitely back up,” he said.

“Sexy And I Moet will fly down and she’ll line up as well with Sam Weatherley to ride her.

“She’s done a really good job, her runs have all been terrific. We’ll apply the side winkers on her and she’ll eat up the mile at Riccarton.”

Kiwi Skyhawk goes into the Guineas off the back of a third placing in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m).

“He was just totally inconvenienced on that really wet track the other day, it was as heavy as you could get, but he’s taken no harm from it and back on a good track he’s right in play,” Marsh said.

“He’s well and just hasn’t missed a beat since that last race. Michael McNab will take the reins, he’s back and in fine form.”

The stable’s other runner at Riccarton is Nest Egg, who will defend his title in the Listed Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) ahead of bidding to go one better in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m).

“He’ll have the blinkers back on and he’s flying, going really well,” Marsh said.

“Matt (Cartwright) will ride him with 53.5kg on his back, he gets into the race beautifully.”

Marsh will also have two black type contenders in action at Te Rapa on Saturday with last season’s Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) winner Mercurial and proven first-up performer Provence in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m).

“Mercurial will have the blinkers back on and he’s had a run under his belt. He will improve with the run again and when the Group Ones come around, he’ll be really ready to fire,” he said.

“Provence is coming up really well and 1200m is short of her best, I think she can win a big mile at some stage this season.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
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.
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.
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.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.