Tom Marquand has been involved in some heavyweight match ups during his Sydney autumn carnival visits and the star UK jockey has invariably come out on top.
However, the big race scenario he finds himself in for this weekend’s Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) is a little different.
Whereas Marquand has previously linked with international raiders such as Addeybb and Dubai Honour to plunder Sydney’s Group 1s, on Saturday at Rosehill he will team with local filly Zardozi as she bids to fend off boom New Zealander Orchestral.
While that involves stretching his form analysis skills across the Tasman, Marquand says weighing up the credentials of a filly like Orchestral isn’t rocket science.
“It doesn’t take too much working out when they have a record like her,” Marquand said.
“She is pretty good and you have to be scared of her.
“But we’re used to clashes, it’s good fun, and I come here to try to get on good horses.”
Marquand has teamed up with Godolphin for a number of autumn rides and has been Zardozi’s regular partner this campaign, including last start when she posted a strong win in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m).
He hadn’t expected the three-year-old to be as sharp as she was over the shorter distance and said that augured well as she prepared to step up to 2000m in the Vinery.
“She surprised me to be honest, the speed she showed at that trip was pretty awesome,” Marquand said.
“We saw what she did at 2500 (in the Oaks) and for her to do it at that distance was pretty amazing.
“You couldn’t be happier with where she is in her prep off the back of that and everything points in the right direction.
“She has proven she is a Group One, top-class filly and she will need to be to beat the Kiwi filly.”
Zardozi’s trainer James Cummings has tossed a little extra fuel on the fire, saying the onus is on Orchestral to live up to her boom.
James Mcdonald chose to ride the New Zealand Derby winner despite partnering Zardozi to her brilliant Oaks win in the spring, and Cummings was keen to remind the champion hoop of that decision this week.
However, Cummings also conceded that Zardozi would be better again over the 2400m of next month’s ATC Australian Oaks.
“James McDonald is one of the best placed people to ask about the comparison and he’s pretty quick to inform everyone of his decision to ride that filly,” Cummings said.
“So the pressure is certainly on Orchestral.
“It will be a terrific race, but there’s every chance Zardozi will improve further out to a mile-and-a-half.”
A daughter of Savabeel, Orchestral has saluted in five of her eight starts and hasn’t been beaten this year, winning her past four appearances by a combined total of almost 14 lengths.
She will be striving to give trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood consecutive Vinery Stud Stakes wins following the success of Prowess last year.