Nahema
Trish Dunell
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh was quick to admit that relief was his first emotion before delight set in after watching enigmatic three-year-old filly Nahema destroy her rivals over 1200 metres at Tauranga on Saturday.
Marsh has endured a frustrating run with the Per Incanto filly who stamped herself as a potential top performer when she finished an unlucky second in the Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes just over twelve months ago. Since then Marsh has battled to get the best from his charge with a series of disappointing performances in her three-year-old campaign having him searching for explanations after every run.
"We just haven't been able to work out what has been going on with her during this preparation," he admitted 24 hours after her Tauranga victory.
"She would work the tracks down during the week and then come raceday she just wouldn't put in. We would go over her with a fine tooth comb but couldn't find anything and she would be bright and bubbly as if nothing had happened.
"We changed a few little things around and gave her a quiet trial during the week to see if that would get her focussed which seems to have worked. I think the rain also played a part as she seemed to relish the conditions and won like the horse we think she is."
Marsh will now turn his attention to the Sydney autumn carnival as he heads across the Tasman later this week to put the finishing touches on high class gallopers No More Tears and Sofia Rosa who will be in action on consecutive Saturday's.
"Both of my filly's are heading over this week with No More Tears contesting the PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick on Saturday and then Sofia Rosa will tackle the Australian Oaks the following week," he said.
"No More Tears has thrived since her win at Ellerslie on Derby Day and is ready to go a big race. We've got Zac Purton booked to ride so she will have the very best to assist her in what will be a tough task.
"We're also delighted with how Sofia Rosa has come through her Trentham run as well. We were prepared to give her a week before we made the final decision to go to Sydney but she has been bouncing around so much it was an easy decision to make.
"We're going over this week to give her plenty of time to settle in although she is a good traveller and did well last time we went there.
"Given the fickle Sydney weather we wouldn't mind a little rain before each of their races but, no matter what, I do think they can be very competitive if they race up to their best." – NZ Racing Desk
Marsh has endured a frustrating run with the Per Incanto filly who stamped herself as a potential top performer when she finished an unlucky second in the Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes just over twelve months ago. Since then Marsh has battled to get the best from his charge with a series of disappointing performances in her three-year-old campaign having him searching for explanations after every run.
"We just haven't been able to work out what has been going on with her during this preparation," he admitted 24 hours after her Tauranga victory.
"She would work the tracks down during the week and then come raceday she just wouldn't put in. We would go over her with a fine tooth comb but couldn't find anything and she would be bright and bubbly as if nothing had happened.
"We changed a few little things around and gave her a quiet trial during the week to see if that would get her focussed which seems to have worked. I think the rain also played a part as she seemed to relish the conditions and won like the horse we think she is."
Marsh will now turn his attention to the Sydney autumn carnival as he heads across the Tasman later this week to put the finishing touches on high class gallopers No More Tears and Sofia Rosa who will be in action on consecutive Saturday's.
"Both of my filly's are heading over this week with No More Tears contesting the PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick on Saturday and then Sofia Rosa will tackle the Australian Oaks the following week," he said.
"No More Tears has thrived since her win at Ellerslie on Derby Day and is ready to go a big race. We've got Zac Purton booked to ride so she will have the very best to assist her in what will be a tough task.
"We're also delighted with how Sofia Rosa has come through her Trentham run as well. We were prepared to give her a week before we made the final decision to go to Sydney but she has been bouncing around so much it was an easy decision to make.
"We're going over this week to give her plenty of time to settle in although she is a good traveller and did well last time we went there.
"Given the fickle Sydney weather we wouldn't mind a little rain before each of their races but, no matter what, I do think they can be very competitive if they race up to their best." – NZ Racing Desk