By Tony McMahon
The luck of the draw has gone in Marway’s favour for his engagement at Randwick in Sydney tomorrow.
Only late last week, Marway’s managing owner Greg Sturgiss expressed his disappointment after the Rockhampton star drew barrier 14 for his planned start at Canterbury Park last Friday night.
“He will be scratched and we will wait for next Wednesday at Randwick and hope he draws a good barrier,” Sturgiss said at the time.
Greg’s hopes came to fruition after Marway drew barrier two in the 1000-metre $50,000 Benchmark 72 Handicap on the Kensington track at Randwick.
Carrying 60.5kg and ridden by Joshua Parr, the eight-time Rockhampton winner is a $3 favourite in the sixth event on the card.
Marway burst on to the Sydney scene in spectacular fashion, winning for his new trainer Mark Newnham and jockey Rachel King at Warwick Farm on Australia Day.
King was to partner Marway tomorrow, but is required for the James Cummings stable on rival Virgo, who has drawn barrier 11.
‘’Josh Parr rode him (Marway) when he won the trial at Randwick on January 7; he and Rachel both ride him trackwork so Josh knows him well,” Sturgiss said.
“I am just surprised that Marway has been put up favourite for the race as there is quite a bit of talent in it - I hope the bookmakers are right.”
Marway is yet another outstanding graduate from Rockhampton’s Capricornia Yearling Sales, which this year will be staged on Sunday, April 12 at the Rockhampton Showgrounds.
Sweet Dolly nears a return
Brilliant juvenile filly Sweet Dolly delighted her connections with the easiest of wins in a Rockhampton Callaghan Park barrier trial over 900 metres on Monday.
Ridden by her regular rider Justin Stanley, Sweet Dolly cruised to a 12.75 length win over two maiden class rivals, running a swift 55.78 seconds.
“She was never pushed at any stage and it was a pretty easy trial for her,” Sweet Dolly’s trainer Kevin Hansen commented.
‘’I was really pleased with her and so was Justin; he was really happy about the way she went and if Justin’s happy then I’m happy.”
Bought as a weanling for $1500 by the Capricorn Coast’s Michelle Walker, Sweet Dolly has returned just over $105,000 from her perfect winning record of two from two.
After decimating a juvenile field at Townsville on debut in November, she then won the Listed Calaway Gal Fillies Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm in December.
In what could be interpreted as an ominous warning for connections of Sweet Dolly’s upcoming race rivals, Hansen had this to say.
“I feel she has come back stronger and better from her break, she is still learning as she even got a bit lost over the final stages of Monday’s trial,” he said.
After her Brisbane win, Sweet Dolly was then turned out for a spell but was brought back into training sooner than originally planned because she was feeling too well and risked injuring herself.
Subsequently, Sweet Dolly was set for the $500,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel to be run at Aquis Park on the Gold Coast on Saturday, March 13.
Hansen said that Sweet Dolly had come through her trial on Monday unscathed and would have her only start before the Jewel at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, February 27.
Sweet Dolly will contest the $125,000 Jewel Prelude 2YO Fillies Stakes which is run under set weights for all starters at 56.5kg.
“Justin (Stanley) said he can’t wait for that race at the Sunshine Coast to come about and neither can I,” Hansen said.