In-form mare Marble Arch narrowly prevailed in Saturday’s TAB We’re On (1600m) at Flemington, with the daughter of Per Incanto recording her third victory of the preparation.
The five-year-old was well-ridden by apprentice Jaylah Kennedy, who showed good initive to push forward and sit outside the leader after it became apparent the small field was devoid of tempo.
With a weight advantage, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained mare narrowly defeated Wings Of Song and Munhamek in a time of 1:39.89.
“Jaylah tried to take a sit early but then she made the right decision and rolled forward. It ended up being a slowly run race and a sprint home,” Ben Hayes said.
“Luckily, with the light weight, she was tough and she has been like that the last couple of runs, she has been really tough every time. And Jaylah has got a great record on her now. Full credit to the horse and Jaylah.”
Runner-up in the Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) two starts back, Hayes was non-committal on another black-type assignment this campaign.
“We will see how she pulls up, she has been up a long time,” he said.
“She has done a great job this preparation already. She is black-type placed and there are lots of nice options coming up. We will probably look to keep her either at 1400m or a mile again.”
Kennedy’s two-kilo claim was an assist and the apprentice rider had full confidence in Marble Arch’s turn of foot.
“She was really well placed with the lightweight and she’s most definitely up to stakes-class this mare,” Kennedy said.
“Drawing (barrier) six of six, I wasn’t too happy about it but if there was going to be good speed I would have been happy to take a sit.
“She was a little bit awkward away but she was really good into stride. I took my time to get outside the leader and I knew I was on the right horse.
“She is probably better being ridden a bit further back and chasing something down but today she was just too good.”
A daughter of Little Avondale Stud’s outstanding sire Per Incanto, Marble Arch was purchased privately by the Lindsay Park team after finishing third at Wanganui in her only start in New Zealand for trainer Wayne Marshment.
Bred by Goodwood Stud, Marble Arch is out of the four-win Sakhee’s Secret mare Jonquil and stems from the family of Group One winners Atishu and Daffodil.
The now five-year-old mare was initially sold as a weanling for just $3,100 via gavelhouse.com.
Saturday’s victory was Marble Arch’s eighth career win from 20 starts, with a further four placings, as she advanced her career earnings to A$570,546.
Per Incanto is represented by 29 yearlings at the forthcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales which commence on January 26.