Talented Kiwi horseman Kyle Marshall is hoping to mark the first anniversary of his move to Australia with a strong showing at Melton on Saturday night.
Since relocating from New Zealand last year to train at the Cranbourne Training Centre, Marshall and partner Sophie Jefferies have grown their stable to 18 horses, producing 28 training winners and 16 driving victories.
The team will be represented by four runners on Saturday: Bach (Italian Cup, race 1), Smoken Ace (race 3), Son Of Mac (race 4), and Copacabana (race 5).
Bach, a recent Kiwi import who won eight races in New Zealand, has hit his stride in Australia with four straight wins after an inauspicious first start. Saturday’s Italian Cup marks a step up in class and could determine if he heads to the Queensland Constellations at Albion Park next month.
“He’s a lovely horse and a real quality pacer,” Marshall said. “It’s a good test and will give us a line on where he’s at.”
Marshall’s strongest hope of the night is three-year-old Smoken Ace, who missed first-up due to a virus but is now fit and ready to fire.
“He’ll be very hard to beat,” Marshall said.
Son Of Mac returns second-up from a long layoff due to knee issues and a virus, while trotting mare Copacabana has shown strong form in recent runs and is expected to perform well.
The highlight of the Melton card will be champion mare Ladies In Red, chasing a 27th win from 35 starts in the Cinderella Stakes, ahead of a Queensland campaign targeting the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl in July.
- thetrots News Desk