Foxton mare Marotiri Molly will make her long-awaited stakes-level debut on Saturday at Pukekohe Park, taking her place in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
The daughter of Per Incanto caught plenty of early attention when winning her first trial in dashing style as a four-year-old last April, and since then she has produced that form on the track, winning five of her 10 raceday appearances.
Her trainer, Matt Dixon, was given a vote of confidence to take the step into black-type company when she went three on the bounce this preparation, most impressively last-start on an unfavourable Heavy10 surface at Trentham.
"It was quite a courageous run there, she definitely prefers better footing, so I was concerned about the track, but her class got her through," Dixon said.
"She's just kept improving this whole prep, it's been very pleasing.
"She's always shown plenty of ability but we've just had some niggles along the way. That's why it's taken until she is a six-year-old before she fully matured and furnished, but she's always shown that speed."
Marotiri Molly has been partnered in all but one of her career starts by Central Districts hoop Kate Hercock, and in her absence, Dixon has called upon the services of Sam Weatherley for Saturday's fillies and mares' feature.
"Sam Weatherley will be riding her, Kate would've been there but under very sad circumstances (passing of partner Daniel Champion), she is unable to ride her this time," he said.
"She (Marotiri Molly) galloped right-handed on Tuesday morning at Foxton against the rail and went very well, so I couldn't be happier with her really. She's going there pretty much 100 percent."
