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Stephen Marsh is considering sending Sophie’s Choice on a road trip following her defeat of the older horses at Taupo.
The Cambridge trainer produced the Darci Brahma filly for a tenacious win in the Kinloch Fasttrack +$5K (1200m) and he is now looking at all options for the three-year-old.
“Ideally, we’d like to get a bit of black type with her so maybe a trip south,” Marsh said.
The Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m) on January 20 is a possible target.
Sophie’s Choice, who finished fourth in the Gr.3 Phoenix Park 2YO Classic (1200m) last season, was making her first appearance for the summer at Taupo and the fresh-up win came as no surprise.
“She had trialled up really well and I thought she would be hard to beat,” Marsh said.
Sophie’s Choice settled in second spot before rider Danielle Johnson moved outside the leader Culzean before the turn and, after a battle down the straight, they got in the deciding stride.
“She’s not very big, but she’s pretty tough,” Marsh said. “She knows where the post is and she’s a really game filly.”
Culzean gave a bold account of himself before coming up a short head second and third money was taken by High Distinction, who cornered awkwardly and ran home gamely once balanced.
The Oaks Stud will offer a yearling half-brother (Lot 1000) by Roc de Cambes to Sophie’s Choice during the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2018. – NZ Racing Desk.