3 minute read

Scorpz captured Friday's Lucia Valentina Wellington Stakes (Group 3) at Otaki.

The son of Windsor Park Stud shuttler Charm Spirit became the 7th stakes winner for his sire and gave his trainer Stephen Marsh a memorable day at Otaki, winning a stakes double and unearthing another Derby Prospect. 

Marsh won the New Zealand Derby (Group 1) this season with Crown Prosecutor and he has next year's edition in his sights with Scorpz following Friday's Group 3 win. 

The son of Charm Spirit hit the lead at the top of the straight after racing midfield for the majority of the race, and he showed his determined spirit when holding out promising gelding Shenanigans to win by a half-head.

"Gee he's a lovely colt," said Marsh, who shares in the ownership of Scorpz. "He travelled beautifully, but I wasn't sure on the line.

"He got there (to the front) quickly, he just does what he has to. I think he just buttoned off a bit too, but there's a fair bit of upside to him.

"He's nominated for the Derby and some other races. He is a lovely colt on the way forward."

Scorpz beat Shenanigans by a nose with a length and a quarter back to Tibetan who finished third. 

Scorpz was bassed in for NZ$65,000 at the 2018 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 when offered by Hallmark Stud. He has raced 7 times with Friday's win his second. His dam is the Dubawi mare Forbetterforworse who is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Fast 'N' Rocking and her Teofilo filly is catalogued as lot 606 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 sale. 

Charm Spirit shuttles to Windsor Park from Tweenhills in England where they are advertising his 2020 fee at £8,500.