The
Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained Mongolian Marshal exacted a measure of
revenge when he turned the tables on his last-start conqueror in Saturday's
Gr3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m).
The promising High Chaparral four-year-old had been defeated by race-rival
Igraine when the pair clashed for the first time in last month's Gr.3 Counties
Cup (2100m).
This time it was Mongolian Marshal who gained the upper-hand as he produced a
powerful burst in the home straight to out-finish the pace-making Igraine, who
fought on bravely for second ahead of top-weight Five To Midnight.
Co-trainer Murray Baker believes the improved footing, with Te Rapa racing on a
Dead4 surface as opposed to the Slow7 at Pukekohe, was a key component to the
victory.
"The plan was to hold him up a bit so he could sprint and he sprinted well
enough," he said.
"The track might have tripped him a wee bit at Pukekohe although the
winner was far too good that day.
"I have to be honest in that I was wondering if he was just a 2000m horse
although he did run eighth in the ATC Derby (2400m) where he came from well
back.
"He's quite brilliant over a mile so it had us wondering."
Baker wouldn't be drawn on future plans for his charge who races in the colours
of co-owner, the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd, whose principal
Mr Lang Lin is commonly known as "Mr Wolf".
"We will have to go home now and have a think about it but he is a quality
horse," he said.
"He cost Mr Wolf a bit of money but thank goodness he is here."
The win capped off a productive period for the Baker/Forsman team who saw their
lightly raced Savabeel filly Queen Of Diamonds hand out a beating to her
three-year-old rivals in the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1550m) at Awapuni
just twenty minutes earlier.
Mongolian Marshal and Queen of Diamonds also share another common factor in
that both were bred by former Cambridge Stud owners, Sir Patrick and Justine,
Lady Hogan.
NZ Racing Desk