Racing: Trainer blessed with strong young team

Trainer Stephen Marsh.

Stephen Marsh has an overflow of talent in his stable's two-year-old ranks for the rest of this season and then to roll out in next term's age group features.

While his hold on the exciting Redoute's Choice colt Ardrossan is temporary, the recent Avondale trials showed the Cambridge trainer doesn't lack substitute firepower.

Ardrossan was an outstanding debut winner for Marsh at Pukekohe and after he runs in the Hamilton Vets Equine Stakes at Te Rapa on May 6 he will be joining Mick Price's Caulfield stable. "That was always the plan right from the start and I'm sure he'll make his mark in Melbourne," he said.

Marsh has produced a number of recent trial winners and placegetters, all with rich pedigrees to further boost confidence in their future prospects.

Among them is an un-named daughter of Pierro and the Cox Plate winner Dane Ripper and Raposa Rapida, a brother to the multiple stakes winner Volpe Veloce.

"The Pierro is a lovely filly who I've liked from day one," Marsh said. "I think a lot of her and she's gone to the paddock now.

"She's so relaxed and has done everything asked of her. I'd expect her to be in the better fillies' races later in the spring, she's got some gears.

"Raposa Rapida trialled well and we didn't ask for much. He'll trial again over 1000 metres in a couple of weeks and we'll put more pressure on him and then he'll go to the races.

"He's another smart-looking three-year-old type for next season."

Marsh also has high hopes for an un-named son of Rothesay and the dual winner Our Dreaming and for the filly Power Dream.

"The Rothesay colt is a lovely horse and he's going to the paddock," he said.

"He's got plenty of talent and Power Dream trialled up really well.

"She's always showed us a lot and she'll probably race at Avondale on April 25."

- NZ Racing Desk