Marcoola’s transition to the open class ranks is set to get underway a little sooner than first predicted.
Last season’s three-year-old Trotter of the Year will kick start his four-year-old season next week at Addington after initially looking toward the Ashburton Flying Mile later in the month as his starting point.
A stunning effort to win at yesterday’s Ashburton trials signalled he’s ready to return to the races and his co-owner and unofficial trainer, Clint Ford is starting to get excited.
“It’s a pretty big thing for someone like me,” Ford said.
“I’m looking forward to what could unfold this season, he’s certainly come back in really good shape.”
Marcoola was privately timed to run his last 800 metres in a tick over 55 seconds – under a hold – as he ran past Habibti in the process.
Held up on the final turn, Marcoola stretched out beautifully and found the line under his own steam.
“He did it pretty easy there at the end, he’s certainly forward and ready to go.
“We will head to Addington next week and then go from there.”
His return to the open class ranks will give Ken Ford, the official trainer of Marcoola, a three-pronged attack on some of our trotting features with Amaretto Sun and Zachary Binx both open class contenders too.
Ford said next week then Ashburton and then the New Zealand Free-For-All were on the agenda and then potentially a run around in the Trotters’ Green Mile at Methven early in December before the next plans are made.
While Marcoola’s effort was stunning, the undoubted highlight of the day’s action at Ashburton was the qualifying effort of three-year-old Major Hippie.
The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained son of Art Major clocked a staggering 2.57.9 for the 2400m mobile, equalling the the qualifying time of Mainland Banner and Vladimir The Great who many believe to hold the fastest qualifying time at Ashburton for a 2400 metre mobile.
The first foal of Hotinthecitytonite, a daughter of Hot Shoe Shuffle, Major Hippie worked his way to the lead and never looked back winning by an imposing 27 and a half lengths.
It was a big day for the All Stars camp again who won every heat they had a horse entered in with particular attention given to the performances of The Fixer, You Gotta Have Faith and Titan Banner who will begin his Cup build up in next week’s Methven Cup.
The first of the prgeny of Auckland Reactor was also in action yesterday with Admiral – a colt from Gavin Smith’s stable running second in between two of his stable mates over the one mile.
The heat was won by Art Banker an Art Official half-sister to Late Mail with the three babies pacing 2.05.4 with a last 400 metres in 28 seconds even.
Matt Markim