Kiwi horseman Stephen Marsh has high spring ambitions for his former Oaks winner Sofia Rosa, who he has entered for the Caulfield Cup 2017.
Sofia Rosa will be set for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup this time in. Photo: Steve Hart
The daughter of Makfi hasn’t won a race since her Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) success as a three-year-old in Sydney back in April of 2016.
The now five-year-old had a failed Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign following the highs of her autumn season with three unplaced runs before returning home.
Since the Oaks Sofia Rosa has placed in the money just once when third in the Group 1 Haunui Classic (1600m) a home back across the Tasman in late February.
She was in Sydney for one start the following month when hampered by a Heavy (10) track at Rosehill running fifth behind Our Ivanhowe in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
Her latest start was at Te Rapa in late April when third, beaten only a half-length by the winner Mime in the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m), but Marsh is confident punters will see better things from her down under this spring.
“I think she’s just starting to mature,” he told Racing Victoria on Tuesday.
“She’s never come up in the spring before but she’s never looked this good either. I think she’s coming right.
“Her work is good. Everything seems totally different with her.”
The mare is tracking towards a run in the Group 1 $3.5 million BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21.
The Caulfield Cup nominations for 2017 as well as those for the Group 1 $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m), which could be on the cards for Marsh’s Brisbane Cup winner Chocante, both closed at midday today.
“I’ve actually put a nomination in for the Caulfield Cup for her,” Marsh confirmed.
“If she looks like she comes up really good then we’d fly her over and have a crack.
“Just the way she’s coming up we thought we’d put a little sneak nom in for Caulfield.”
Sofia Rosa is scheduled to resume in New Zealand this weekend in their opening Group 1 race, the Tarzino Trophy (1400m), and Marsh said she would be improving on whatever she did first-up in that.
“It’s going to be a bit short of Sofia Rosa’s best and she’d love a bit of rain – it’s a Dead 4 there now – a shower of rain could come later in the week or even on the day,” Marsh said.
“She’ll sprint well fresh but it’s definitely short of her best so it’s very doubtful she can win.”
To get behind Sofia Rosa this season and for the updated Caulfield Cup 2017 odds post-nominations head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.
