Marsh has Aussie watch on filly

Buoyed by the Australian Oaks win of Sofia Rosa, Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is looking for an Australian dress rehearsal from another of his smart fillies at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Marsh will saddle up Serious Satire in one of the day’s features, the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders Stakes, and his long term goal is to get her across the Tasman.

“I think she’s good enough,” said Marsh. “There’s a possibility she could get to Queensland, but her main aim is Melbourne in the spring.”

Marsh made no secret of the high regard he has for Serious Satire after she followed up a debut third at Avondale with an amazing finish to win at Hastings last August.

She then returned to Hastings last October and charged home to beat some smart fillies in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes, before she jarred up in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes at Te Rapa and tailed the field home.

Since her spell, Serious Satire has had two trials, the latest at Avondale earlier this month when third over 1000 metres.

“She came back big in condition and she needed her two trials,” said Marsh. “She has been working well and she’s drawn perfectly (six) but I’d love to see some easing of the ground.

“It’s a great field and she’s going to be better over further than 1200m, but I’m happy with her.”

With regular rider Danielle Johnson on the injured list, Michael McNab has landed the ride on Serious Satire on Saturday.

Marsh also has a strong chance in the other Te Rapa feature, the Gr.2 Travis Stakes, with Thee Auld Floozie, who will be ridden by Craig Grylls.

Since winning at Tauranga four starts ago Thee Auld Floozie has been twice runner-up in black-type events.

“She’s got a good draw (three) and I can’t fault her,” said Marsh. “She’ll go out for a spell after this one.”