Rocanto
Kenton Wright Race Images
Trainer Stephen Marsh believes his apprentice Hairi Marzuki has all the attributes to reach the top in his chosen profession after the Singapore born and bred rider produced a copybook effort to guide former top juvenile Rocanto to a brave fresh-up victory at Tauranga on Saturday.
Marsh speaks in glowing terms about Marzuki who found his way to Cambridge courtesy of Marsh's Singapore based father, Bruce.
"Dad said to me one day that he had found a young fella who could really ride but just needed a break to go his way," he explained.
"He wasn't getting the rides in Singapore so Dad asked whether we would be keen to give him a shot down here. He got everything organised and Hairi arrived about four months ago.
"He has fitted in at the stable exceptionally well. He is keen and eager and I definitely think he is reaping the benefit of having riders like Danielle (Johnson) as part of our stable to learn off.
"He does all the right things and he has come a long way already with his riding."
That progress was evident in the way the apprentice handled Rocanto on Saturday, providing the four-year-old with a saloon passage in the trail behind pacemaker Rich Billie Marsh before issuing a powerful challenge early in the run home of the rating 85 1200 metre contest.
Marzuki didn't panic when race favourite Go Nicholas loomed on his outer as he made good use of his four kilogram claim to drive the Per Incanto entire home by a bare nose before surviving a protest initiated by the runner-up after the race.
"That was a top ride as he had him the perfect spot and really kept his head at the finish," said Marsh.
"He stayed nicely balanced and we got a good victory.
"It's a big call by the owners of these horses to put a four kilogram claimer on so I'm delighted to get a result like this."
The victory continued a successful run for Marsh who collected his second career New Zealand Group One win with Ugo Foscolo in the Sothys 2000 Guineas last weekend.
"The stable has been on a roll of late and that win at Riccarton has put a bigger spring in our step," he said.
"The horse has come through the race in good shape although he was a pretty tired boy for a few days afterwards. We gave him a couple of extra days down there but he is now home and enjoying a break in the paddock.
"At this stage we are looking at an autumn campaign in Australia with the Australian Guineas as a real possibility for him." – NZ Racing Desk
Marsh speaks in glowing terms about Marzuki who found his way to Cambridge courtesy of Marsh's Singapore based father, Bruce.
"Dad said to me one day that he had found a young fella who could really ride but just needed a break to go his way," he explained.
"He wasn't getting the rides in Singapore so Dad asked whether we would be keen to give him a shot down here. He got everything organised and Hairi arrived about four months ago.
"He has fitted in at the stable exceptionally well. He is keen and eager and I definitely think he is reaping the benefit of having riders like Danielle (Johnson) as part of our stable to learn off.
"He does all the right things and he has come a long way already with his riding."
That progress was evident in the way the apprentice handled Rocanto on Saturday, providing the four-year-old with a saloon passage in the trail behind pacemaker Rich Billie Marsh before issuing a powerful challenge early in the run home of the rating 85 1200 metre contest.
Marzuki didn't panic when race favourite Go Nicholas loomed on his outer as he made good use of his four kilogram claim to drive the Per Incanto entire home by a bare nose before surviving a protest initiated by the runner-up after the race.
"That was a top ride as he had him the perfect spot and really kept his head at the finish," said Marsh.
"He stayed nicely balanced and we got a good victory.
"It's a big call by the owners of these horses to put a four kilogram claimer on so I'm delighted to get a result like this."
The victory continued a successful run for Marsh who collected his second career New Zealand Group One win with Ugo Foscolo in the Sothys 2000 Guineas last weekend.
"The stable has been on a roll of late and that win at Riccarton has put a bigger spring in our step," he said.
"The horse has come through the race in good shape although he was a pretty tired boy for a few days afterwards. We gave him a couple of extra days down there but he is now home and enjoying a break in the paddock.
"At this stage we are looking at an autumn campaign in Australia with the Australian Guineas as a real possibility for him." – NZ Racing Desk