Mongolian Marshal Extracts Revenge In Waikato Cup

Breednet - Saturday December 15
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).

Mongolian Khan wins the Waikato Cup. Photo: Trish DunellThe 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

Advertisment
More Reading...
Toronado Winner Sign of Things to Come
So You Think and Dundeel have set a high standard for sire sons of the late Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) with Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (IRE) also showing the promise of good things to come after making a strong start to the new season with his fifth winner since August 1 at Sale on Thursday.
Oaks Winner Strikes Form at Valley
Quality High Chaparral (IRE) mare Princess Jenni won the Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks last season at just her sixth start and showed she will be a force this spring when capturing the Group II MVRC Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Stampede Runs Then Into The Ground in Colin Stephen
Stampede has been out of the winner’s circle since October last year but when the son of High Chaparral (IRE) is gifted an easy run in front, as he did in Saturday’s Group III Colin Stephen Stakes (2400m) at Randwick, he proves very difficult to get by.
High Chaparral's Mississippi Delta From Last to First in Perth Cup
The late, great Coolmore stallion High Chaparral (IRE) may have celebrated more prestigious wins in his glittering career but Saturday was a real financial windfall for the son of Sadler’s Wells.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Big Payday for High Chaparral's A Man To Match
No black-type but a Group 1 prize for the connections of the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding A Man To Match who not only pocketed the $145,000 winners cheque as the inaugural winner of the $250,000 The Tab Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast but had it topped off with another $200,000 for being a Magic Millions graduate.