Good Showing Expected from Justify Colt

Media Release - Tuesday May 21

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh believes Bourbon Proof can make his presence felt in strong three-year-old company next season.

Marsh has formed a good opinion of the Justify youngster, but his confidence about a winning debut at Taupo on Wednesday took a severe hit when he was handed a horror gate in the Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (1100m).

It will now be up to premiership-leading jockey Warren Kennedy to work his magic with Bourbon Proof from the outside barrier.

“We think he is very good and if it was a month ago we would have waited for a better draw, but we want to give him a run and then set him aside for the spring,” Marsh said.

“He could be a pretty serious colt but that draw makes it an almost impossible task.”

Justify (USA) colt Bourbon Proof was a $130,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase.

Bourbon Proof placed in two trials during the summer before a break and then won his 800m heat at Avondale earlier this month.

“Warren knows the colt and rode him in his last trial and really liked him, but I was certainly deflated when I saw the barrier draw,” Marsh said.

“We do think he could be in some pretty good races next campaign. He will definitely spell after this race.”

Stablemate Ortega has also trialled well and will hit the ground from a more favourable gate (six) for apprentice Triston Moodley.

“She will be better next preparation over a bit further, but she is the sort of filly who will jump and put herself there,” Marsh said.

The stable will also be represented in Saturday’s juvenile feature at Pukekohe by Magna Memory in the Listed Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m).

Advertisement

The Magna Grecia gelding has been unplaced in three runs, but improvement is expected at the weekend.

“He was very good first-up and was then a touch plain, but the mile should really suit him and any rain will be welcomed,” Marsh said.

Meanwhile, promising three-year-old Takeshi will resume at Taupo in the Ballymore Stables –Michael Moroney/Pam Gerard Handicap (1200m) but is another handed an outside gate.

“He’s had a mixed-up preparation and was ready to go before he had a foot abscess and we trialled him on a heavy track at Te Aroha the other day,” Marsh said.

To be ridden by Michael McNab, the son of Satono Aladdin impressed in a brief spring campaign with a runaway debut victory at Rotorua and then finished runner-up at Pukekohe.

“He’s a real take on trust job, he’ll have this one and a freshen before the spring. I think he’s very good but hasn’t really had anything go his way this prep,” Marsh said.

He does, however, fancy the chances of The Greenkeeper in the opening event, the DJ O’Sullivan-Master Trainer @ Wexford Stables Highweight (2000m).

“He looks well placed with Troy Harris on, his mother’s got a share in the horse, and he’s going well,” he said. “I also like the two in the fillies and mares’ race.”

Lovaci will be ridden by Courtney Barnes in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1300m) while Sam Spratt will guide El Amor’s fortunes.

“Lovaci has gone really good races and is well drawn (gate one) and so is El Amor (five),” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Maher and Waller Strike at Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale
Champion Australian trainers Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher have been active during the first session of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, which was topped last year by Sir Delius (GB) at 1.3million guineas.
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Tara Talks Racing Podcast Online
We’re talking Cox Plate and whether Bucky can win the Cup, plus Godolphin colts, how can you not, they have had a fabulous spring and it’s not over yet!
Rewarding Weekend for Waikato Stud
A double strike at stakes level, a filly with a black-type future and a welcome family success handed Waikato Stud another rewarding weekend.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale (November 12 and 13) is online with breeze up video now in place and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Transatlantic Takes $1million Five Diamonds Prelude
Transatlantic’s lucrative spring carnival continued at Randwick with an arrogant victory in the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 27
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 26
Here is the full list of 74 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Winner for King of Comedy
Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (IRE) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
First Stakes Win for The Autumn Sun Half-Brother
The Listed Chantilly Grand Prix du Nord (2000m) in France overnight provided a first stakes win for blueblood Dubawi colt Azimpour, the half-brother to Champion Australian 3YO Colt and now G1 sire The Autumn Sun.