His move from Cranbourne to a 30-acre estate at Mount Wallace, not far from Ballarat, is inspired.
Despite deliberately running a harness racing team of just ten horses, Marshall and his partner, Sophie Jefferies, are running two – Smoken Ace and Ata Rangi – racing at Melton on Saturday evening.
Smoken Ace, Ata Rangi and the talented three-year-old Fire Marshall were the main horses of a strong first eleven months in their new digs.
“When we first moved, Cranbourne training ground was a great place to start. The club and its people were fantastic, they couldn’t do enough to help and support,” Marshall said.
“Last year we looked seriously at preparing in Queensland but it didn’t work out and then this place (Mount Wallace) became available and suited the stage we were at and what we wanted… it’s only 30 minutes from Melton so it’s a bit more central.
“It’s a great setup and we’re lucky that it was available at the right time and that we got it.
“We make no secret of the fact that we want and need to race at Melton more often and that’s why it’s so good to have a few runners this week.”
Marshall, 31, first moved from New Zealand to Cranbourne in early 2023 and impressed with 17 winners that season. Last year he followed with 23 winners.
Despite moving and setting up new premises, Marshall and Jefferies have secured 19 winners this year, but it is the quality of the horses and races they have entered that has grown.
Last Friday evening, Smoken Ace recorded his ninth win and turned heads by breaking the Geelong track record at 1609 metres. It was a stunning performance.
“That was a huge thrill. I know the track was fast, but to do the work he did, win easily and run that time was huge,” Marshall said.
“What about that guy ‘Herbie’ (James Herbertson)? It was his first ride on the horse in two years and look how well he went. They’re just flying for Herbie.”
“The horse was doing well in good races before that without much luck, so it’s good for his confidence and ours to let him come out and win like that.”
Herbertson will take the reins again, but will have to overcome a big draw (gate seven) in a handy field in the seventh race at Melton on Saturday evening.
Additionally, Marshall is eyeing a NSW foray in the coming weeks for a pair of Menangle races with Smoken Ace.
“The win at Geelong was similar to the way they raced at Menangle and we think it would suit him well there,” he said.
Ata Rangi will be chasing a hat-trick of victories in the first heat of the Gordon Rothacker Championship (race eight) in Melton.
Top junior driver Jordy Leedham, who rode Ata Rangi to a career-best Ballarat win last year, has the drive again.
“He is constantly improving and it was great to see him go one step further last time and win such a great race (Vicbred Silver Pace),” said Marshall.
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Victoria
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