Marotiri Molly retired

Marotiri Molly retired
Marotiri Molly has been retired from racing. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)

Group Two winner Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto) has been retired from racing and will head to the paddock in preparation for an early service this coming breeding season.

The daughter of Per Incanto was a solid performer for trainer Matt Dixon, winning seven of her 23 starts for the Foxton horseman, including the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), and she was placed on a further seven occasions, including the Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m), Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), Manawatu Challenge Stakes and Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m).

The lightly raced seven-year-old continued her consistent run in her latest preparation, placing in three consecutive Group races before running 12th in last month’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and the decision was subsequently made to retire her from racing.

“It is always a bit sad to lose those ones, she has done a great job,” Dixon said.

“Her Group Two win was a real highlight and when she ran third to La Crique in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, where she came from last, was one of the best runs of her life.

“She has retired sound and she will head to the broodmare paddock now.

“She is lightly raced, but she is rising eight. She was a late starter, but she is such a valuable mare and it’s probably a good time now to let her letdown for a few months and hopefully get her in-foal nice and early.”

Marotiri Molly was bred by her owners Beven and Christine Parlato, and she is out of their Group Three performed Al Akbar mare Marotiri Miss (NZ).

She will now head north to Milan Park, near Cambridge, where a decision will be made on her upcoming mating.

“The owner’s cousin is Tony Rider (Milan Park principal), so she is going to head to Milan Park and they are going to do some deal with him, he is a shareholder in a lot of stallions,” Dixon said.

While Dixon has lost the services of Marotiri Molly from his barn, he is excited about the prospects of three-win mare Dollybird (NZ) (Time Test), who is set to line-up over a mile at Otaki on Saturday.

The daughter of Time Test has placed in her last two outings and Dixon is hoping she can add to her win tally this weekend.

“Up to the mile on Saturday should really suit her,” Dixon said.

“She is a progressive mare, she keeps getting better and better. She is no Marotiri Molly but she has done a good job in a short career and she is only five."