So You Think 3YO Wins G3 War Decree Stakes

Media Release - Saturday October 28

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.

Burn To Shine prevails in the feature Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.  Photo: Race Images South

The Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old had finished third behind Saturday’s race-rival Lantern Way in the Group II Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at his last start and turned the tables after enjoying a perfect run in transit for rider Johnathan Parkes.

Parkes sat Burn To Shine one-out behind a muddling speed set up by Funfetti before joining issue shortly after turning for home.

In contrast Lantern Way ($2.80) was forced to travel three-wide throughout before commencing his run at the 600m with the race favourite Trobriand ($2.70) tracking him all the way.

Burn To Shine took control at the 300m and fought doggedly when tackled by the favoured pair, holding off the charge of Trobriand by half a length with a further length back to Lantern Way.

Marsh was on track at Pukekohe for the day but admitted he had watched the race on television with some excitement.

“It was a very good win and one he deserved as he has been going cracking races,” Marsh said.

“Parkesy said there was no speed on and he probably got to the front a little soon, but he was very resolute and ran the mile out very strongly.

Advertisement

“We train this one for The Oaks Stud, who are very big supporters of the stable, so it is great to get a win like that for them and repay the faith they have in us.”

Marsh will now take Burn To Shine straight to the 2000 Guineas and is upbeat about his prospects.

“We know now he gets a good mile and has experience on the track which will stand him in good stead for what comes next,” he said.

“We also know the Guineas favourite (Crocetti) is a very fine horse but we are here with no travel ahead of us and we can just do our own thing and have him cherry ripe on the day.”

TAB Bookmakers quickly slashed Burn To Shine’s odds for the 2000 Guineas from $21 to $8.50 behind red hot favourite Crocetti ($1.75).

Raced by The Oaks Sud principal Dick Karreman, who bred the horse, Burn to Shine is a half-brother to Group III placed Embers and is the best of three winners from Group II winner Smoulder, a Traditionally (USA) mare daughter of stakes-winner Flying Firebird.

Burn to Shine is the 55th stakes-winner for dual Cox Plate winning sire So You Think.

Advertisment

Race Result - War Decree Stakes Gr3 1600m

Riccarton Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:37.24
1
Burn To Shine
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Smoulder (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: J Parkes 57
So You Think
2
0.5
Trobriand
- 3c Kermadec (NZ) x Arboreal (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: S R Weatherley 57
3
1.5
Lantern Way
- 3c Satono Aladdin (JPN) x No More Doubt (NZ) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 57
4
2.8
Lady Sass
- 3f Staphanos (JPN) x Lady In Charge (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: Ms K Williams 55
5
3.0
Funfetti
- 3f Embellish (NZ) x Alternative Fact (NZ) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: C R Isdale Rdr: A Comignaghi 55
6
4.3
Mogul
- 3c Rubick (AUS) x Swiss Beauty (NZ) (Swiss Ace (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: Rohan Mudhoo 57
7
4.8
Quintabelle
- 3f Embellish (NZ) x La Quinta (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: K Mudhoo 55
8
10.1
Radiant Reach
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Eagle's Reach (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: L J Allpress 55
9
12.7
Clyde Barrow
- 3g Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Fixation (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: D I Montes De Oca 57
10
15.2
Blanche
- 3f Staphanos (JPN) x Lochnagar (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: P D Harris Rdr: C R Barnes 55
More Reading...
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Countdown to NZB’s 2025 Weanling Sale
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters, plus 10 supplementary lots, selling this Thursday 26 June at Karaka. 
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
So You Think G1 NZ 2000 Guineas Contender
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping to hit the ground running as New Zealand Cup Week kicks off in Christchurch this weekend.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
One to Watch Wins Again!
It might be winter and all eyes may have been on Royal Ascot this week, but there was a winner at Flemington on Saturday that will have caught the eye of anyone with half an interest towards spring racing and emerging talent.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.