Wayne Marshment’s focus will be on Group One business at Hastings on Saturday, but he will also be keeping a close watch on proceedings at Caulfield.
The Wanganui trainer’s quality mare O’Fille looms as a strong chance in the Windsor Park Plate and a stable connection will ensure interest in the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes across the Tasman.
“I’ve got a really smart three-year-old colt by Keeper called Lord Beaver, who is out of a half-sister to The Offer,” Marshment said.
Lord Beaver has already showed his talent and a recent trial success at Woodville has attracted serious attention from both Melbourne and Sydney interests.However, Marshment‘s immediate focus is resting with O’Fille, who resumed on an encouraging note when a close sixth in the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes.
“She was really good on the first day and Noel (Harris) said a couple more strides and she would have been right in it – he was thrilled with the mare,” he said.“I’m very happy as well and she has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since the first day. Her work on Tuesday morning was very good.”
While Marshment believes O’Fille will be better-suited to the longer Gr.1 Livamol Spring Classic on the final day of the Hastings carnival, he wouldn’t be surprised to see the daughter of O’Reilly give the specialist milers a serious run for their money.“The 2000 metres will be ideal, but she has won over 1600 metres in a bit over 1.34,” he said. “It won’t worry us if any rain comes either – I gave her a run on a heavy track at Wanganui and she just got beaten into second.”
