Marveen breaks through in Merson Cooper
Talented filly Marveen broke through for a deserved stakes success in today’s Listed Merson Cooper Stakes at Sandown Hillside.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The filly, prepared by Aquanita trainer Robert Smerdon and raced by the Howell family, had placed at her only two starts and although she got off to a shaky start proved too strong for her rivals.
After only jumping fairly she mustered speed and settled in a big bunch behind the leading pair but shouldered through into the clear around the turn and went to the lead.
Jockey Luke Nolen kept her going and she drew away for a strong win over Tzarina, who was unlucky after bombing the start and being held up in the straight.
First starters Kalash and Yatala filled third and fourth.
Marveen is a daughter of Orientate from the Forest Glow mare Shiny, who Smerdon also trained, and put the writing on the wall with a narrow loss at Moonee Valley on debut behind Woppit.
Read more about the history of Sean Buckley’s Marveen here
Marveen’s win at Listed Merson Cooper Stakes http://www.racingandsports.com.au/en/racing/display-a-story-116743
Marveen bought by Sean Buckley for $450,000 http://www.racingandsports.com.au/en/racing/display-a-story-152885
High profile owner Sean Buckley will be looking for healthy returns from Marveen in the autumn after purchasing her with a view to her eventually joining his band of broodmares.
The four-year-old daughter of Orientate has raced twice since Buckley paid $450,000 for her at the Magic Millions Winter Broodmare sale in June and he will be keen to see her carry his colours to victory in the coming weeks.
Trainer Robert Smerdon said Saturday’s Listed Summer Race Days Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield would launch her campaign towards to the feature mares’ races in Melbourne and possibly Sydney.
“We wanted to give her a good spell after last winter and time her run back in to the autumn,” Smerdon said.
A six-time winner who has earned $631,645 in prize money, Marveen has three Listed races among her victories – the VRC Desirable Stakes, Gold Coast Bracelet and Merson Cooper Stakes.
Read more here about Sean Buckley’s Marveen here http://www.racingandsports.com.au/en/racing/display-a-story-167303