Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh light-heartedly suggested he was still waiting for his Christmas presents before racing started at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, but he didn’t take long to fill his stocking with Provence taking out the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1400m).
Marsh had the option of starting the 5-year-oldSavabeel mare in the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) carrying 60kg later in the day but decided against that pathway, as he took on the higher-rated mares with only 55kg and an in-form Sam Spratt on her back.
It proved a masterstroke as Spratt took advantage of a handy barrier draw to position Provence just off the speed, whereas her main rivals, including race favourite Malt Time ($3.40), were tardily away and conceding the Marsh runner a significant advantage.
Spratt moved into contention early in the run home and when she pushed the go button. Provence strode past pacemaker Acquarello to assume control and defeat that runner by just on a length, with Malt Time running home bravely to take third.
Marsh clarified his thinking after the victory as to why he chose the Royal Descent Stakes as his target for the mare.
“It looked an easier race on paper in the last [Stella Artois Final] but she had 60kg on her back, an outside gate and we want to back her up six days later in the Rich Hill Mile [Group 2, 1600m],” Marsh said.
“That is the reason we came as she had 55kg and an inside draw. She wasn’t in well at set weights and penalties but it’s nice now she has won.”
Marsh is keen to test Provence in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at the venue on New Year’s Day as he believes she is a mare going places.
“She is a really good mare who has had little luck in her life,” he said.
“She has been plagued with bad draws, and I certainly think she can win a big race.”
Bred by Tony Rider, who co-owns the mare with a large number of members in the Social Racing Ellerslie Winners Circle Syndicate, Provence is out of the Flying Spur mare Sombrueil and is the older sister of exciting 3-year-old filly Damask Rose.
She has now won four of her 12 starts and just over $169,000 in prizemoney.
