Stephen Marsh may have temporarily lost the services of his star youngster Velocious, but he still has enough firepower to be a major force to be reckoned with in upcoming age group features.

While top honours did not go the way of Savaglee in Saturday’s Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), Pam Gerard took plenty of positives from the performance of her colt as he heads towards loftier targets.

Star youngster Velocious will have the opportunity to redeem herself on a better surface at Hastings on Saturday.

Stephen Marsh is building towards the second and third days of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival with a bit more confidence after a pleasing trial by El Vencedor on the Cambridge synthetic track on Friday.

Stable stalwart Aegon will spearhead a three-strong team for Andrew Forsman at Caulfield on Saturday when he attempts to build on a bold but luckless first-up showing across the Tasman.

Rugged three-year-old Whiskey ‘N Roses showed he could be a contender for higher honours in the spring when he made it back-to-back victories with a gritty performance at Te Rapa.

Roger James gave his seal of approval to glamour mare Orchestral following her hit-out at Taupo on Wednesday.

Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae has a great record campaigning horses in the South Island and he is hoping that will continue this spring when he heads to Riccarton with Saturday winner Illicit Dreams.

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray scooped the major Cups last season with Mahrajaan, and with the ultimate two-mile contest now on their radar, he will appear for the first time this season at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Talented three-year-old I’m All In will be tested in stakes company for the first time at Ruakaka on Sunday, lining up in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

Cambridge trainer Hollie Wynyard will attempt to turn the clock back 10 years on Saturday to maintain her perfect record at New Zealand’s most northern circuit.

Cambridge trainer Maxim van Lierde dreamed of campaigning a horse in Melbourne when he spent time at Lindsay Park last year, and now that has turned into a reality.

A special milestone is beckoning for New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock and he hopes a strong team of representatives can deliver his 1000th domestic winner at his home track on Saturday.