Classic hope Whimsical a filly to follow

Cover image courtesy of Race Images

Written by Paul Vettise

Progressive 3-year-old Whimsical (NZ) (Savabeel) is among the leading lights in Saturday’s G1 Levin Classic and while there is confidence she will run accordingly, it will serve as a means to a greater end for the filly.

The Stephen Marsh-trained Whimsical will step out at Trentham in the Devan Plastics-sponsored age group feature as part of her preparation for an autumn return to the capital city track for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks.

She is from a high-flying family with her rich pedigree page featuring Bonny O’Reilly (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), dam of the Snitzel colt who topped the opening day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when realising $1.9 million.

That youngster’s value may well be further enhanced in the coming weeks as Whimsical is viewed as a high-class staying prospect and expected to be seen at her best when stepped up to a Classic distance, but that’s not to say she won’t prove a tough nut to crack over a shorter trip.

“She’s a lovely, big, strong filly and we’re looking forward to seeing her over the Wellington mile. She will be better as she gets up over further and will improve with the run,” Marsh said.

“It isn’t her grand final, her grand final will be the Oaks in March, but we can’t fault her and we’re sure she’s going to run very well.”

Group 3 strike

Whimsical finished fourth on debut at Pukekohe in October before she broke her maiden at Te Rapa a little over three weeks later and them won the G3 Eulogy S. at Awapuni last month.

The Levin Classic will provide Whimsical with an ideal opportunity to add a Group 1 performance and with dual top-flight winners Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) on her pedigree page, she is a valuable commodity.

“It would be huge for her, she’s a beautifully-bred filly and is out of a Redoute’s Choice mare,” Marsh said. “This might end up being one of those races that throws up a few really good ones further down the track.

“That horse of Murray Baker’s has had one start for one win and there’s Brando, we don’t know how good he might be.”

He was firstly referring to the Baker and Andrew Forsman-prepared Frontman (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), a brother to the three-time Group 1 winner and two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval (NZ) and pre-post favourite and Listed Uncle Remus S. winner Brando (NZ) (Savabeel).

Whimsical is part-owned by JML Bloodstock Principal Lib Petagna, who also shares in the ownership of stablemate Milford (NZ) (Savabeel), winner of the Listed Te Akau Gingernuts Salver at Ellerslie last Sunday.

Lucia lit the match

Marsh and Petagna have enjoyed a long and successful association, which was kick-started by the high-class performer Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel).

“That’s where it all started and we’ve had a number of good ones along the way, including Milford. He’s come through the race really well and has had a few days in the paddock and he’ll be back in the stable on Monday.

“He’s got better with each run and has got plenty of improvement to come. He’ll head to the G2 Avondale Guineas and into the G1 New Zealand Derby.”

Marsh prepared Lucia Valentina to win two races, including the G3 Wellington S. before she relocated to Australia and was successful three times at Group 1 level from Kris Lees’ stable.

Then followed Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) who remained in Marsh’s care throughout her career and finished runner-up in the G1 New Zealand Oaks before she went one better in the G1 Australian Oaks.

Petagna will also have another representative in the Levin Classic in the Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trainer Barsawa (NZ) (Atlante), who is raced with the Perry Family Trust. The gelding has a win and a runner-up finish from two starts.

"He's been aimed at this and I know they have all probably been aimed for it, but this has been his target race since day one and he's ready to give a good account of himself," Lowry said.