Molly hunting Group One crown
Group Two winner Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto) has just had the one tilt at elite-level and trainer Matt Dixon is hoping second time’s a charm when she contests Saturday’s Gr.1 Listen Live On Sportnation.nz NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
The Upper Hutt track has been a happy hunting ground for the daughter of Per Incanto, who has recorded three of her seven victories on the track, including the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).
She also made her Group One debut at the track in last year’s Thorndon Mile (1600m), finishing fifth equal behind Provence (NZ) (Savabeel), and returned this year to finish runner-up in the race, which has been downgraded to a Group Two.
That result has been bookended by two further Group placings in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes and Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m), and Dixon said his mare has progressed nicely from her last start performance.
“I have been really pleased with her progress since the Cuddle Stakes,” he said. “I always thought she was going to be a bit vulnerable in the Cuddle Stakes in the fact that it was six weeks between runs leading into that, but I was really pleased with how she ran there and she has definitely improved a lot, which she will need to. I am very happy with her.”
Marotiri Molly has been building towards the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, with Dixon having circled it as her primary target this season, and he is looking forward to testing her against a strong line-up.
“She has got a great record there (Trentham) and she deserves her chance,” he said.
The seven-year-old mare has drawn out wide in barrier 15 and will be ridden by Kate Hercock.
“She hasn’t got any favours with the draw again, she never has a lot of luck with the draws, but I see they had a bit of rain last night and if they do start to get wide later in the day the draw might not be so bad,” Dixon said.
“I am pretty excited, it is a pretty even field and there are certainly a lot of winning chances. She is definitely right up to them I think.”
While the broodmare paddock could be calling his mare next season, Dixon said no plans have been made past Saturday.
“She is lightly raced and she is a valuable mare as it is, but there are no set plans, this has been her grand final target right from the get-go this prep,” he said. “We will get this out of the road and see what happens."
