The Karaka couple were narrowly denied a Group One victory at Moonee Valley on
Friday night when Griante carried their colours to a third placing after a
luckless run in the William Hill Stakes.The successful breeder-owners didn't have to wait long for compensation with Marky Mark scoring a decisive win in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes.
"It's been a fantastic 24 hours for them," trainer Moira Murdoch said. "Griante was four wide the trip and only went down narrowly."
A first crop son of Westbury Stud's high profile shuttler Makfi (GB), Marky Mark won his first two starts including the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes, before suffering his first defeat in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie.
He made the turn awkwardly there before finishing well for fourth under the Lindsays' retained rider Leith Innes.
Marky Mark didn't put a foot wrong at Awapuni where he made use of a handy barrier to enjoy a cosy run behind the leader.
Innes drove him through a gap one off the fence 200 metres from home and they were too good for Rocanto, who was given a fine run from a wide alley by Mark Du Plessis.
"He had the perfect draw today," Innes said. "He's still green, but he got the job done well."
Reminisce powered home late for third while the longshot Our Rokkii was next in after he was denied room at a crucial stage in the straight.
Bella Court was another to make ground well for fifth ahead of the strongly supported Selfie, who was given every chance by rider Opie Bosson.
Murdoch has enjoyed a successful association with the Lindsays and prepared Marky Mark's mother My My Maree, an Australian bred daughter of Testa Rossa, to win two races before she ran third in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes in her final race day appearance.– NZ Racing Desk.
