As tough and courageous as they come on the racetrack, Cliff’s Edge is making his mark at stud despite being largely overlooked by breeders.
The 4-time stakes winner and $1.2 million earner unearthed another promising type at Kyneton on Tuesday. The 3-year-old filly Marilyn's Edge made a winning debut in the Macedon Ranges Glass Maiden Plate (1112m) and holds a nomination to the Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on November 16.
Ridden by apprentice Logan Bates for Shawn Mathrick, Marilyn's Edge looked in a different class to her nine opponents.
Under a hand ride, the daughter of Cliff’s Edge defeated the Yes Yes Yes filly Secretdream by three lengths with the Deep Field filly Chocolate Bos in third.
“I thought that $38 to $8 was a good push, and we have huge raps on her,” Mathrick said.
“When we broke her in, we thought she was special.
“We are only a little stable and it is a bit scary when you get one that goes this good. Sometimes they work at home super, then you take them to the races, and they are not what you think they are.
“I have some special fiends in her because I bred her, and I told them that I think she is the real deal. The mare already has stakes horses, and I think this is a stakes horse as well.
“The 1000 Guineas will probably come up too soon, but I think ability-wise it would not be an issue.
“She will be better ridden with a sit, but I didn’t want bad luck beating us.
“Everyone thinks she is a stakes horse and for us it’s very exciting. We haven’t the millions of dollars to go out and buy them.”
Bred by her trainer, Marilyn's Edge is the tenth foal of the Keltrice mare Seven Year Itch.
Placed in six of her eight starts, Seven Year Itch is a daughter of stakes-placed mare Love To Honour, a half-sister to VRC Melbourne Cup and MRC Caulfield Cup hero, Viewed.
Seven Year Itch already had two stakes-winners, Rich Itch and Scratchy Lass when she was offered on Inglis Digital in 2021 as part of the Rangal Park Dispersal.
Shawn Mathrick made the final bid of $32,500 for Seven Year Itch, which was carrying Marilyn's Edge.
Seven Year Itch was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.
Cliff’s Edge stands at Bombora Downs for the value fee of $3,300.
