Antrim Coast Chasing Another G1 for Almanzor

Media Release - Friday May 3

With the prospect of Group One glory both now and in the spring, Saturday looms as an exciting afternoon for Stephen Marsh.

The Cambridge trainer will saddle Antrim Coast as a live contender for the Gr.1 Thomas Farms South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville, while the unbeaten two-year-old Super Photon can confirm his Group One credentials for next season with another bold performance in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Antrim Coast will contest the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.  Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

Antrim Coast will attempt to become the second Group One winner in Australia for Marsh, who won the Australian Oaks (2400m) in Sydney with Sofia Rosa in 2016.

Carrying the blue and white colours of The Oaks Stud, Antrim Coast lined-up as a $157 outsider in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and produced an enormous performance for second behind star filly Orchestral.

Two subsequent performances in Australia have further proven Antrim Coast’s big-race quality. He defeated fellow Kiwi three-year-old Quintessa to win the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, then ran a close and unlucky second in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 6.

“I thought it was another really good run at Caulfield,” Marsh said. “The jockey (Daniel Stackhouse) got off him and admitted he just took off way too early and was left a sitting duck in the straight. That’s not the way to ride him at all. He’s a good rider, but just made a mistake that day. These things happen.

“Mick Dee is back on him on Saturday. He rode him to win the Alister Clark at Moonee Valley two starts ago. I think gate six is a lovely draw. He should get into a nice position from there and have a beautiful run.

“His work has been very good leading into the race. He’s been up for a few dances now, but he’s still really going super. We couldn’t be any happier with him.”

The TAB rates Antrim Coast a $6.50 chance for Saturday’s Derby, sharing second favouritism with fellow Kiwi-bred Warmonger. The $4.40 favourite is Coco Sun, who is backing up from a third placing in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).

Meanwhile on home soil, Marsh will saddle exciting colt Super Photon in Te Rapa’s Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes.

Advertisement

The son of Super Seth is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner and recently announced Newhaven Park stallion Mo’unga, and he was a $380,000 purchase at Karaka last year by Stephen Marsh Racing, Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock.

Super Photon made a big impression on debut at Rotorua on April 17, winning by three and a quarter lengths. The runner-up was Magice, a trial-winning full-brother to the Group One winner and sire Noverre.

“That was a lovely performance on debut, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Marsh said. “Going from 1150m up to 1400m is a decent jump for a two-year-old, but we’re very happy with him and we’re keen to give him a crack at some black type before we put him away for the winter.

“He’s gone the right way since Rotorua. He hasn’t put a foot wrong at any stage of this preparation and his work has been excellent.

“Whatever he’s doing now is a bonus, because I think he’ll be even better at three. We’re looking forward to targeting the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) in Christchurch in November.”

Stablemate Magna Memory will have a gear change following a well-beaten seventh in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on April 20.

“I really liked his first-up run,” Marsh said. “He was a bit disappointing the other day, but I think he just got a bit lost and unfocussed. I put some blinkers on him for a gallop on Saturday and thought he was much improved with them on.

“Going up to 1400m will suit him. Hopefully he’ll be working home well, and then I think you’ll see a better horse again when he gets up to 1600m in the Champagne Stakes later in the month.”

Super Photon is a $3.60 second favourite in the TAB’s market for the Te Rapa feature, with Magna Memory at $51. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Zousain Sunday 2YO Double
Zousain is surging to the end of the season with a double of new 2YO winners on Sunday bringing his seasonal tally of juvenile winners to 13.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
Zoustar Filly Wander Dune Impresses On Debut In South Africa
Making her debut as favourite in the Race Coast Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m) at Kenilworth, South Africa on Saturday, 2yo Australian-bred Zoustar filly Wander Dune impressed with an emphatic victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
2026 Inglis Yearling Sale Series Entries Open
Entries for the 2026 Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series – which will be headlined by the presence of the highly anticipated Snitzel x Winx colt at the Easter Sale – are now open.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 27
Here is the full list of 54 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch - Belmont
Racing made a welcome return to Belmont Park yesterday and the first winner to salute on the freshly renovated track was a two year-old that started a red hot favourite and could not have been more impressive!
Carrazzo Melbourne 'Sport of Kings' Tax Talk
It gives Baumgartners great pleasure to announce that the Paul Carrazzo’s “Sport of Kings” horse tax talk returns to Inglis Melbourne on Wednesday 13 August.