New Zealand trainer Stephen Marsh to run Milford in Rosehill Guineas with Australian Derby the ultimate goal

Kiwi trainer Stephen Marsh had a good motivator sitting next to him when discussing his latest Australian Group 1 assault and he reckons the cards have fallen “pretty much perfect” for his stable’s return visit.

Marsh won his maiden Australian Group 1 in Sydney in 2016 when Sofia Rosa scored a memorable win in the ATC Oaks at Randwick.

That trophy sits proudly in his office in New Zealand and he had it close as he plotted his latest Australian Group 1 tilt with NZ Derby runner-up Milford.

Marsh has his sights on the Australian Derby with his emerging stayer, which will make his debut across the Tasman in Saturday’s Group 1 Rosehill Guineas.

“The connections were keen to head over and it’s the same connections we had with Sofia Rosa a few years ago and they were more than happy to,” Marsh said.

“We’ve always had the Derby on the radar and this is a long term plan for sure

“It‘s a $2 million Derby so you don’t need much convincing and we know he can stay so it’s definitely worth it.”

Like many that line up on Saturday, Marsh wasn’t originally planning to target the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) but the rescheduling of the race fell in his favour.

Sofia Rosa won the Australian Oaks in 2016. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Saturday’s meeting is on track to go ahead however it’s likely runners will still face a rain-affected track with the rating set to be in the soft range at best.

“We probably don’t mind it being a little wet,” Marsh said.

“I just think he doesn’t need it to be rock hard and it looks like Tulloch day might end up that way and he will probably come through it better if it’s soft or heavy.

“It was the original plan to get over there for the Tulloch but this is perfect timing for us now.

“It ends up being pretty much perfect for him.”

Milford is a $13 chance to win the Rosehill Guineas where he will be ridden by Tim Clark.

Rocket Spade ($4.40) has survived the drift and taken out the 2021 Vodafone NZ Derby for @WexfordStables and @AndrewS44296836 thanks to a gun ride from @CraigGrylls. pic.twitter.com/pqZWGOssoE

All three of the placegetters from the New Zealand Derby are being set for the Australian Derby next month.

NZ winner Rocket Spade is still across the ditch but will have a track gallop over a mile at Tauranga this weekend while third placegetter Frontman trials Friday at Randwick.

“It‘s not often that it happens,” Marsh said of all three Kiwis coming over.

“Looks like an even line up this year and maybe that‘s why it’s happened.

“There‘s no standout and there looks like a few might end up heading to the Doncaster as well so why not roll the dice?

“We are going to come into our own once we get to the Derby and I think Saturday will top him off nicely.”

Milford is $15 in Australian Derby betting with Rocket Spade at $8 and Frontman at $11.

Originally published asNZ trainer plotting another Group 1 heist

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