Marketplace makes his mark at Menangle

By Brittany Graham 

Marketplace has already managed to take a very promising step forward in his maiden Australian campaign.

Arriving in Sydney a week ago, trainer Regan Todd has wasted no time in getting his stable star acquainted with Australia’s speed capital.

Taking the opportunity to give last year’s New Zealand three-year-old of the year a trip to Menangle for a piece of trackwork on Saturday, he then stepped out under trial conditions today.

And there was no mucking around.

Lining up against proven open class types like Captains Knock and Ubetcha Tigerpie, Marketplace recorded a 1.50.1second mile rate, while delivering dazzling closing splits of 27.5 and 26.0 seconds on the way home to win the workout.

It was a perfect kick-off point and one that Todd was more than happy with.

“He did it nicely and the driver (Luke McCarthy) was happy, so we are right on track”.

The plan is now to race at Menangle next Saturday, June 13 in a Free For All pace over 2300 metres where he will draw widely due to the preferential nature of the draw.

That will be three weeks out from his major target of the $300,000 Rising Sun at Albion Park where the gelded son of Bettors Delight is $4 second favourite behind flying mare Captains Mistress.

Dependent on next Saturday's run, a decision will be made whether he has another start in lead up to the rich three- and four-year-old feature.

While consideration was given to bringing stablemate and in-form three-year-old Stumblin In across to contest Derby features, he will stay at home with a strong group of locals likely to prove a significant challenge.