The Hayes training team have chosen to send Marble Arch over the South Australian border to kick off a preparation that JD Hayes says has scope to build on previous successes.
The five-year-old mare was to start at Moonee Valley on Manikato Stakes night but instead will line up over 1250-metres at Morphettville Parks in the Eddie Q BBQ Handicap.
Finishing third last start in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet (1400m), the five-year-old mare broke through the 100-rating mark with Racing and Sports for the second time, and with a trajectory to suggest there is more to come.
“She’s really trialled up super and I think she’s in for a good prep,” JD said of two jump outs at Flemington earlier this month.
“She’s a late maturing horse and she got a bit lost in her second prep in Australia and we’ve found sort of found the key to her as she loves being trained at the farms.”
The former New Zealander had one start in her home country before crossing the Tasman early in 2023 and at her first two outings at Pakenham.
With Jason Holder aboard, Marble Arch was a firmer in markets from $2.90 into $2.50 on Friday with the Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained Klabel the $2.10 betting site favourite in the small field of five runners after two scratchings.
“I think there is quite a bit of room for improvement coming into the spring,” JD added.