Shot out of a cannon
An impressive debut win makes it three from three for talented three-year-old filly Loose Cannon, daughter of boom sire Tavistock. With two outstanding trial wins already under her belt, trainer Stephen Marsh knew he had a serious talent on his hands. But her win at Ruakaka in the 3YO maiden 1200 metres still took him by surprise.
“From her very wide barrier draw, it seemed unlikely which makes it that much more remarkable. She followed her pattern of racing from her trials coming from behind in a beautifully timed run from rider Mark Hills,” says Marsh.
“She’s come through the run well and we have our sight firmly on the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on the 17th of November worth $400,000 as her main target.”
Go Racing are defending the 1000 Guineas title after Hasahalo won it emphatically last year. And, in a similar unorthodox approach to her preparation, Loose Cannon will have an equivalent light preparation.
Says Racing Manager Albert Bosma “We don’t want to overtax her and from Hasahalo last year we know it’s not necessary. She’s a lightly framed girl who keeps herself naturally fit and simply doesn’t need a lot of work. With Hasahalo we weren’t prepared to compromise and run her on unsuitable tracks. The same standard will be applied to Loose Cannon.”
Marsh has enjoyed great success with the fillies in recent years and points to another example from his stable. “Mark Two had a similar preparation for the NZ Oaks with only three starts in three months.”
“It is likely Loose Cannon will only have two more runs prior to Riccarton. As a three-year-old filly it is really important to get black type,” says Bosma.
The plan is for her to run in the Group 3 1200 m Gold Trail Stakes for 3YO fillies in Hawke’s Bay on the 22nd of September worth $70,000. Importantly it is a left handed track, the same as Riccarton. After that she is likely to have a week in the paddock before she is aimed at the Listed Soliloquy Stakes over 1400 metres at Ellerslie on the 27th of October worth $50,000.
Again she will be following in her Go Racing alumni hoof steps with Marsh-trained No More Tears winning it three years ago and Campari coming third last year.
Says Bosma, “That programme then allows her a three week lead into the 1000 Guineas. That’s certainly a lot of threes associated with this 3YO and they say three’s a charm!”