3 minute read

Trainer Stephen March was a happy man after the running of the last race at Ellerslie on Saturday as his plucky galloper Procurement secured a hard fought victory.

Unlucky on several occasions at her most recent starts this time all factors were in favour of the four-year-old O’Reilly mare as she scampered home to notch her third career victory.

“I thought she would be hard to beat as she had a good draw and the pattern of racing on the day seemed to favour those horses who could run handy to the pace,” noted Marsh.

“She has had a few excuses along the way in this campaign, particularly at Te Rapa last time where she was held up for a run at a vital time, so I was just hoping we could get that ounce of luck.

“We didn’t want to lead and fortunately Princess Michella took the front so Danielle (Johnson) could take a sit on her. Once they turned for home I thought she would be hard to catch but it’s a long way down that Ellerslie straight so she did a super job to tough it out all the way home.”

Now the mare has regained winning form Marsh is looking forward to tackling some bigger assignments with her.

“She is now headed to the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham in a fortnight as we are keen to give her a shot at getting some black-type,” he said.

“Provided she comes through that run well we might then take a look at the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha but that’s still just a thought as I will see how she fares at Trentham before making that decision.”

Marsh is hoping to take a sizeable team to Trentham with Gr. 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks candidates Thee Auld Floozie and Stars In Align both having their final lead-up runs in the Gr. 3 McKee Family Sunline Vase at Ellerslie on Wednesday.

“Thee Auld Floozie and Stars In Align are in the Sunline Vase and provided they pull up well they will take on the Oaks at Trentham,” he said.

“They’ve both trained on well since New Plymouth so I couldn’t be happier with their condition leading in to Wednesday.”

Procurement’s win was Marsh’s 35th for the season and lifted him into fifth place on the National Trainer’s Premiership table which is headed by fellow Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.