Cambridge trainer setting smart pace

Stephen Marsh already has 31 winners on the board for the season to move within touching distance of his personal goal.

“I had targeted 35 so we’re well ahead at this stage, you can’t take anything for granted but everything has been going extremely well,” the Cambridge trainer said.

Marsh’s stable will be represented at Te Aroha on Friday and the following day at Ellerslie and New Plymouth, where his Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks contenders Stars In Align and Thee Auld Floozie step out in the Platinum Homes Prelude to the classic.

Another potential top-flight candidate Girlsarebackintown will also be in action in the Gr.3 Phoenix Park 2YO Classic at the Pukekura Raceway.

“She’s got better with each outing and her first-up run was nice and she got beaten by two smart ones second-up,” Marsh said

Girlsarbackintown was placed on debut at Hawera before she was in the money behind her talented stalemate Rocanto and Unsurpassed at Te Rapa.

“She keeps improving and if she can get some black type she’s a made filly,” Marsh said. “She might be a Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes chance.”

Stars In Align is a dual acceptor at New Plymouth, but Marsh said she will front up against Thee Auld Floozie in the Oaks Prelude following her early January defeat of the older horses in a Rotorua maiden.

“Her last-start win was strong and I’ve freshened her and the 1800 metres should be right up her alley.

“Thee Auld Floozie has been getting back and too far out of her ground and she hasn’t had all favours recently.

“It’s an important race for them and as long as they run well they will go to the Sunline Vase and then the Oaks.”