Written by Lydia Symonds
In recent years, Stephen Marsh has used the Listed Gingernuts Salver as a stepping stone towards the G1 New Zealand Derby and on Sunday Cruz Missile (NZ) (Savabeel) provided the trainer his third win in the Listed race in four years when the 3-year-old gelding narrowly prevailed in the 2100-metre contest at Pukekohe.
Last seen breaking his maiden at Rotorua on December 28, Cruz Missile found his way out of a tricky pocket in the home straight to eventually beat Devildom (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) by 0.2l, while Bitcoin (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) was a further 0.1l away in third.
Cruz Missile (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Marsh had previously won the Salver with Scorpz (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Milford (NZ) (Savabeel) who both went on to run sound races in the G1 New Zealand Derby, with the former finishing third behind Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) in the 2020 edition of the Ellerslie classic, while the former was runner-up to Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) a year later.
Should the gelding line up in the Classic, he will be attempting to hand the trainer his second victory in the elite-level race, having sent out Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) to win the contest in 2019, however, interestingly his sire Savabeel will be attempting to sire his first winner of the coveted prize, which will be run this year on March 4.
“The first part of the race was great, he relaxed so beautifully,” Marsh said. “It got a bit hairy coming into the straight, he was hemmed away and I was a bit worried.
“The first part of the race was great, he (Cruz Missile) relaxed so beautifully. It got a bit hairy coming into the straight, he was hemmed away and I was a bit worried.” - Stephen Marsh
“But he found a way out and he was very good to the line. I really loved the way he knuckled down late.”
The TAB reacted to the victory by halving Cruz Missile’s G1 New Zealand Derby odds from NZ$16 to NZ$8. He now shares second favouritism with unbeaten filly Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Waitak (NZ) (Proisir), while G1 Spring Champion S. winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) retains favouritism at NZ$5.
“It’s not long ago that he won a maiden mile,” Marsh said. “We’ve backed him up quickly from that today (Sunday), so he’s got a fair bit ahead of him. I don’t see why he can’t be a Derby contender. He’s by Savabeel and has an absolutely outstanding temperament.
“We’ve got a couple of Guineas races to choose from between here and the Derby, so we’ll get him home and work it out as we go.”
Cruz Missile broke through at stakes level for the first time when he landed the Listed Gingernuts Salver at Pukekohe on Sunday and in the process became the 129th stakes winner for his Waikato Stud-based sire.
The 3-year-old gelding was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) for NZ$160,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale in 2021 and he is a son of four-time winner Cruz Control (NZ) (Centaine).
Cruz Missile (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Cruz Control has produced three other winners including the stakes-placed Silveron Wings (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}).
Further back this is the same family as G3 Silver Shadow S. winner Soda Springs (NZ) (Zephyr Bay) as well as Group 2 scorer Camena (Snippets) and Listed scorer Jai’s Jump (Rory’s Jester).
Savabeel has 40 yearlings catalogued at Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, which gets under on January 29.
Earlier in the afternoon, Marsh teamed up with Savabeel once again when he saddled Mazzolino (NZ) to victory and the 3-year-old filly will now get the chance to prove herself at stakes level in the G3 Desert Gold S.
It was the second win of an eight-start career for the Waikato Stud homebred, who has placed in another four races including the G3 Gold Trail S. She also ran fifth in the G3 Soliloquy S. in October.
“I was delighted with that win,” Marsh said. “Diss Is Dramatic looked like she might go past her in the straight, but she kicked really well and was brave.
“I was delighted with that win. Diss Is Dramatic looked like she might go past her in the straight, but she kicked really well and was brave.” - Stephen Marsh
“She’ll go to the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham later in the month. I think the mile at Wellington will really suit her. A few of the other 3-year-olds are heading towards the Karaka Million 3YO, but we’re happy to chase the black type with this filly.”
The 3-year-old filly w is a daughter of dual-winning No Excuse Needed (GB) mare Posy (NZ), making her a sister to G2 Matriarch S. winner Atishu (NZ).
Posy herself is a sister to multiple Group 1-winning New Zealand Champion mare Daffodil (NZ).
