Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is eyeing up his fourth straight win in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa next month.
Marsh has won the event with No More Tears, Ugo Foscolo and Ardrossan and at Matamata on Wednesday he produced Santa Catarina, a two-year-old filly, who could maintain the trend on May 5.
A daughter of Savabeel,
Santa Catarina followed up a close debut second to Byzantine at Matamata last
month with a determined win in the AA Auto Services Matamata Maiden 2YO (1100m)
over the solid-finishing Peaceful.
Despite appearing uneasy on the heavy track, Santa Catarina settled third after beginning well and ranged up at the 200 metre mark then slowly gathered in the leader Ava Bella.
"I was very worried about the track," Marsh said. "She's got a beautiful action and gee she staggered through the ground.
"She needs a better track so I'll freshen her and keep her for the stakes race on the fifth. That should suit her.
"You'll see a lot better sprint from her on a better track." - NZ Racing Desk
