Marky Mark winning the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires Produce
Photo: Race Images Palmerston North
Moira Murdoch is in no rush to send last season's champion two-year-old Marky Mark back into action.
The Waiuku trainer is planning a quiet approach to his upcoming campaign following the Group One winner's disappointing spring trip to Melbourne.
"He's going to trial on the 19th at Te Aroha and I'll assess him after that," Murdoch said.
"I'm not in any great hurry with him and he's coming along nicely after a break since Australia."
Successful in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes and the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes last season, Marky Mark finished fourth in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas before he was sent across the Tasman.
The Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes was to have been his main aim, but his failure to acclimatise to his new surroundings at David Brideoake's Mornington property resulted in him bypassing the Flemington race.
Marky Mark subsequently returned home after he was unplaced in the Gr.2 Sandown Guineas.
Although the son of Makfi, whose half-bother (Lot 430) by Snitzel will be sold through the Hallmark Stud draft at Karaka on January 25, has yet to win beyond 1400 metres, Murdoch believes he can be effective over more ground.
"I've always thought he was a 2000 metre horse," she said. "He ran over the mile in Australia, but he wasn't 100 percent then so you can't take too much out of that.
"He doesn't give me any indication that he won't stay." – NZ Racing Desk.
The Waiuku trainer is planning a quiet approach to his upcoming campaign following the Group One winner's disappointing spring trip to Melbourne.
"He's going to trial on the 19th at Te Aroha and I'll assess him after that," Murdoch said.
"I'm not in any great hurry with him and he's coming along nicely after a break since Australia."
Successful in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes and the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes last season, Marky Mark finished fourth in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas before he was sent across the Tasman.
The Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes was to have been his main aim, but his failure to acclimatise to his new surroundings at David Brideoake's Mornington property resulted in him bypassing the Flemington race.
Marky Mark subsequently returned home after he was unplaced in the Gr.2 Sandown Guineas.
Although the son of Makfi, whose half-bother (Lot 430) by Snitzel will be sold through the Hallmark Stud draft at Karaka on January 25, has yet to win beyond 1400 metres, Murdoch believes he can be effective over more ground.
"I've always thought he was a 2000 metre horse," she said. "He ran over the mile in Australia, but he wasn't 100 percent then so you can't take too much out of that.
"He doesn't give me any indication that he won't stay." – NZ Racing Desk.