The 2014 Vinery Stud Stakes odds of Marianne have lengthened significantly in the past 24 hours, but trainer Mick Kent is confident that she will produce a strong performance when she makes her Group 1 debut at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Trainer Mick Kent is confident that Marianne will relish the step-up to 2000 metres in the 2014 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehll Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Marianne was available at Vinery Stud Stakes odds of $10 shortly after the field was released on Wednesday, but she has now drifted out to a quote of $14; with punters keen to back favourites Solicit, Zanbagh and Rising Romance as well as market movers Miss Mossman ($12) and Interspersed ($12).
The Darci Brahma filly has performed consistently since returned to the races with a second place finish in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 8, finishing second in the Group 2 Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 22 and second behind Solicit in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 8, and broke through for her maiden win at Group level in the Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 21.
Kent has been happy with the lead-up form of Marianne and believes that she will relish the step-up to 2000 metres after producing strong closing sectionals during her autumn campaign to date.
“I think she may find the 2000 more to her liking,” Kent said.
“She has been chasing home hard in the shorter races and the Vinery over the extra trip gives her a chance to take a breather, take a sit and then finish strongly.
“She is very genuine and always very competitive and from her soft draw, I think she is right in the mix.”
The 2014 Vinery Stud Stakes betting market is currently extremely competitive with New Zealand Derby runner-up Rising Romance ($5) a narrow favourite from Crown Oaks placegetter Solicit ($5.50) and Keith Nolan Classic winner Zanbagh.
Kent admits that there is plenty of quality in the 2014 Vinery Stud Stakes field and rates Rising Romance as the biggest threat to Marianne’s chances in the Group 1 event this weekend.
“I think Rising Romance is very good,” Kent said.
“I watched her tapes in the 2000 Guineas and the New Zealand Derby and she was very good in both runs.”
Kent is chasing his first win in the Vinery Stud Stakes after finishing seventh with Summerbliss in the 2013 edition of the race.
