In-foal mare Mazzolino already has that motherly glow according to trainer Stephen Marsh, and he is hoping she can translate that into Group One success at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.
The Waikato Stud-bred and raced four-year-old is a full-sister to Go Racing’s multiple Group One-winner Atishu, and they would dearly love to get a Group One result with their mare before her raceday retirement.
The Group Three winner came close when fourth in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) in March but will get another opportunity on Tuesday in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m).
“She is in-foal to Super Seth. She is working great and has almost got a glow on,” Marsh told TAB NZ.
“I liked her run (for fourth) in the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) and she has bounced out of it super.
“We trialled her up at Ellerslie the other day and I think she is going super, and blinkers have been applied.
“It is certainly a step up. It is a nice, even field without it being over the top. I think she is up to it.”
A race prior, stablemate Glamour Tycoon will be shooting for a hat-trick of wins in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m).
The daughter of Written Tycoon was a last start victor of the Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui and Marsh said she is taking a power of confidence into her Boxing Day assignment.
“Two starts ago we took her up (to Ruakaka) where we were hoping to get a confidence boost. She did that and went down and won the O’Learys race well,” he said.
“Her work has been good, she is going great and I think the couple of wins have really boosted her.
“The step up to a mile is a bit of a question mark, but if you can get a mile I think that opens up a few more doors, whether that’s up here for the Karaka Mile or go down for the Levin Classic.
“I think it is probably one of the best Eight Carat’s I have seen for a while, which is great. Prizemoney is up and racing is starting to become great again, it is good to see.”
Marsh will also have a two-pronged stakes representation in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) with Sinhaman and Tossuforit.
“Sinhaman has had a week in the paddock, his bloods were out a little bit, but his work has been good. He will improve with the run but he is going really well and is a worthy contender,” Marsh said.
“Tossuforit ran really well last start for second and potentially could have won. She is going great.”