Formerly with Carl Henderson, Jodelin Gal was in good touch this time last year when placed in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) and subsequently finished a creditable sixth in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy.
“We’re trying to get both of these mares back in form ahead of the spring and Miss Cartier won on the synthetic last time and I’d like to see her bounce back again at Ruakaka,” Marsh said.
If both run up to expectations on Saturday, they could make a return trip north for the Winter Championship Final (1400m) on July 15.
Miss Cartier, who gained black type when third in last season’s Listed Flying Stakes (1400m), had been racing below par before she won in Rating 75 company at Cambridge last time out.
“She had a few runs on very wet tracks and she wasn’t liking them, so it was good to get her on the synthetic and doing her best,” Marsh said.
“She had run a bad last before that at Rotorua when it was bottomless and this is where the synthetic track comes in to play so well for a horse that needs a better track.”
Tailwinds was also an all-weather winner last time out to break her maiden at her fourth appearance and will run in Saturday’s Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m).
“She’s a good filly and hopefully we can sneak some black type with her somewhere. She has trialled well on a wet track but she does like a good surface,” Marsh said.
His other runner at Ruakaka is Arrowette, who has placed in both outings this preparation, in the Winter Championship Maiden (1600m).
“She’s overdue and has been going really well and I think up to the mile with the side winkers on brings her right into it,” Marsh said.
The stable will also have several representatives at today’s Cambridge meeting, with Hasstobefast seen as a leading chance in the Pearl Series Race (1300m).
“She should be very hard to beat from a good draw, although she has a decent weight [59.5kg],” Marsh said.
The Per Incanto 4-year-old has
a maiden success and a runner-up finish on the course from her last two appearances and will again be partnered by Michael McNab.
LoveRacing News