Charm Spirit 3YO on Trial for Derby

Media Release - Thursday December 12

Exciting three-year-old Scorpz will be tested over 2000m for the first time at Ellerslie on Sunday in preparation for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) in February.

ScorpzThe Stephen Marsh-trained colt will attempt to make it back-to-back stakes wins when he contests the Listed Hynds 3YO Salver (2100m).

The son of Charm Spirit was able to hold out Shenanigans in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki last start and Marsh is hoping for a repeat performance.

“He has taken a little while to click to it all, but his last two runs have been very good, so I am very excited about his chances,” Marsh said.

“He galloped up on Tuesday morning on the course proper and I thought his work was really good.

“Getting him up over ground is the key to him, he’s really going well. He has gone the right way since that last win.”

Marsh, who also part-owns Scorpz, is looking forward to stepping him up over ground this weekend.

“We think he will definitely stay, but you never know until you get them up over ground,” Marsh said. “He is nominated for the Derby, and that’s the path he is on.”

Scorpz has been installed as a $2.50 favourite by TAB bookmakers ahead of Tibetan at $4.40.

Marsh will also be targeting black-type races on Saturday with a trio of runners.

At Awapuni, Elisa Carolina will contest the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m), while at Te Rapa, Campari and Pierina will line-up in the Gr.3 J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m).

Advertisement

Elisa Carolina is also nominated for Ellerslie on Sunday, but Marsh said the three-year-old filly would likely travel south to try and earn some black-type.

It will be the second raceday start for the daughter of Makfi, who finished unplaced over 1400m at Rotorua on debut.

“She trialled up nicely (before her debut), but she probably just found the track a bit firm for her, so hopefully that’s not the case on Saturday,” Marsh said.

“She was a late nomination for the Eulogy. We are just having a throw at the stumps and we are very keen to try and get black-type with her.

“It’s a big ask, but if she could snare a little bit of black-type that would be outstanding for her and the step up in trip should suit.”

Further north, Marsh believes both Campari and Pierina are solid chances in their Group Three assignment at Te Rapa.

Campari heads into the race off the back of a last start placing in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m), while Pierina was victorious over 1400m last start after a luckless run in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

“Both get in on the minimum (53kg) and both runs last start were very good,” Marsh said. “In an even line-up I think they are both definite chances of adding to their black-type tally.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Charm Spirit Shows His Class
Impressive young sire Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) confirmed his class among an outstanding group of emerging stallion talent, when striking his second Group winning blow from his first southern hemisphere 3YO crop at the weekend.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New G3 Winner for Charm Spirit
Matamata visitor Lilikoi showed she was on track for further age-group riches this summer with a comprehensive victory in Saturday’s Group III Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni bringing a pedigree update for her Karaka bound half-brother by Vadamos.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Plenty of Spirit in Group Winning Performance
The stocks of ‘young gun’ sire Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) continue to rise with the win by 3YO colt Scorpz in the Group III Wellington Stakes at Otaki on Friday confirming the cracking start Charm Spirit has made at stud.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Charm Spirit's Aretha Wins G3 Gold Trail
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Aretha opened her three-year-old account in dramatic fashion when she took out the Group III Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) in a grandstand finish.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.