Red letter day

Stephen Marsh completed a black type double at Otaki when Scorpz (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) clung on defiantly to win the G3 Lucia Valentina Wellington S.

The Cambridge trainer had earlier produced Evalina (I Am Invincible) to claim the Listed Fasttrack Insurance S. and Scorpz’s victory gave the stable consecutive wins in the event having won 12 months ago with Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}).

“Scorpz only does what he has to do and there’s a fair bit of upside to him,” Marsh said. “He’s a lovely colt and he’s nominated for the Derby.”

Scorpz raced in behind the pace and strode to the front 250 metres from home and held off the determined bid of Shenanigans (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Close to best

Co-trainer Peter Snowden believes Saturday’s Listed ATC Cup contender Emperor’s Way (Roman Emperor {NZ}) is close to returning to winning form.

"He won five out of six two preps ago and it's probably fair to say he has found his mark. It's a bit harder up in the big boys’ school," he said.

"He's run some close placings, but he just hasn't got his head out on the line and won. I've still been happy enough with his runs to say a win is not far away.

"I thought on his last run, he was certainly on the way back and he's got a good draw (five) here."

Black type success

Evalina (I Am Invincible) boosted her future broodmare value with success in the Listed Fasttrack Insurance S. at Otaki.

A winner and stakes placed when trained by Kris Lees, she was having her second start for Stephen Marsh when she came from the tail of the field with a powerful finishing burst.

“I didn’t expect her to get over the top of them like that, but I’m rapt,” he said.

Raced by Lib Petagna under his JMP Bloodstock banner, Evalina was a $280,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is from the family of the multiple Group 1 winner Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge {USA}).

Talented but raw

The unbeaten Somals (Helmet) has plenty of talent, but is far from the finished article, according to trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra.

She will attempt to complete a hat-trick of wins following successes at Benalla and at The Valley and will return there on Saturday for the Ladbrokes Cash In H.

"She did a lot wrong the other night and she probably needs more racing to learn what it's all about," Zahra said.

"Hopefully the back-up calms her down a bit and she doesn't get herself too wound up, but it wasn't a tough run the other night as she got out late and hit the line quite well.

"She's got a good engine, so hopefully she can channel her energy a bit better."

Defending champion

Clayton Douglas will be chasing consecutive Jericho Cup titles when he teams up at Warrnambool on Sunday with Da Deputy (Dalakhani {Ire}).

He won the inaugural running of the race, held to commemorate the original three-mile race held in the desert sands of Jericho in 1918, on High Mode (NZ) (Redwood {GB}).

The horses make two trips through the paddocks at Warrnambool, the first time the field returns to the course proper they swing left-handed and the second right-handed.

Perfect start

Preakness (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was unbeaten in two trial outings and he carried that form over to race day at Otaki where he produced a professional display for a perfect debut.

He sat in the trail before finishing off determinedly to win the Ribbons Plus Premier for trainer Andrew Campbell and jockey Vinnie Colgan.

“He only does what he has to and with a bit more time will be a really nice horse,” Campbell said.

A half-brother to the Listed Scone Cup winner Pajaro (NZ) (Align), Preakness was a NZ$80,000 purchase at Karaka where he was offered by The Oaks Stud on behalf of trainer Robert Priscott, who bred the 2-year-old with his wife Karen.

Stamina challenge

Waikato stayer Aigne (NZ) (Sufficient {NZ}) will undertake the ultimate test of endurance at Warrnambool on Sunday when he contests The Jericho Cup over 4600 metres and a race solely for New Zealand and Australian-bred thoroughbreds.

The Neil O’Dowd-trained gelding qualified for the staying feature after winning the NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho at New Plymouth in September and O’Dowd was delighted to receive the added reward of free airfreight to Melbourne to contest The Jericho.

“That was such a huge assist and a big thanks to NZB Airfreight because that is NZ$14,000, it’s a lot of money,” O’Dowd said.

“Aigne is Irish for attitude. He’s a real handful of a horse to train. He was a little brat the first couple of days, but he’s got over that.

“He has travelled over and settled in really well, we have been here for about eight days. He has eaten up everything and has been working well,” he said. “The place where we are at, out at Matthew Williams place at Warrnambool, is just perfect.”

Amal Rose blooms

Promising filly Amal Rose (Written Tycoon) has secured a tilt at stakes level after easily accounting for her opposition at Tauranga.

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained 3-year-old was able to clear maiden company at the third time of asking after placing behind subsequent Group 1 winner Loire (Redoute’s Choice) on debut as a juvenile.

The stable is now eyeing a tilt at the G2 Ladies’ Mile at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.