Resuming runners Media World and Tardelli are primed for bold first-up displays in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) ahead of sterner spring tests.
The Stephen Marsh-trained pair have trialled encouragingly ahead of the Waikato Stud-sponsored feature at Te Rapa, with Matthew Cartwright and Kyle Wilson-Taylor respectively booked to partner the duo.
Safely through the weekend, they will both head to the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 5 in which they will be joined by glamour mare Well Written.
“She came through her trial at Taupo brilliantly and we’ll take her up to Ellerslie on Thursday week for a light gallop. I can’t fault her at all,” Marsh said.
Like her unbeaten stablemate, Media World runs in the colours of powerhouse Australian-based operation Yulong.
“They’ve obviously got half of Well Written and Media World and we’ve also got Hidden Achievement, an I Am Invincible colt who will trial on Saturday before the first at Te Rapa, and a Super Seth two-year-old colt for them,” Marsh said.
Hidden Achievement is out of the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Luna Rossa and was successful once from nine starts for Chris Waller and finished runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 JJ Atkins (1600m).
Written Tycoon’s son Media World was a A$1.4 million yearling and won four races, including the Gr.3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) and Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m), for Peter Snowden before relocating to Cambridge.
“He’s a pretty high-class horse and his two trials for us have been great, so I am expecting him to race very well,” Marsh said.
“He’s been an absolute pleasure to have in the stable, he’s a good style of horse with a lovely nature.
“His work has been good, he’s bright and happy and the plan is for him and Tardelli to go on to the Proisir Plate. That will be a ripping field as you would expect, it’s great to have so many good horses around.”
Marsh will decide after the Proisir Plate whether Media World will also contest the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m).
I Am Invincible colt Tardelli hasn’t raced since the summer and finished third behind Alabama Lass and Media World in a recent open heat at Te Rapa.
“He trialled very well and has come back so well for this preparation,” Marsh said. “I loved the way he attacked the line and Kyle was very impressed with his trial, he said he’s flying.
“He’s so much better than his record suggests, we tried to get him out over a little bit further last time but 1400m is probably his pet distance.”
Of the stable’s other Te Rapa contenders, Marsh liked the chances of Shambo Jack in the Banquo 3YO (1200m) with Cartwright in the saddle. The Shamexpress gelding placed in one of his three juvenile appearances and indicated his readiness to resume with a trial win on the course earlier this month. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
