Five-year-old gelding Marquess (NZ) (Tavistock) has made it four wins in succession for trainer James Cummings after narrowly prevailing in the Mounties Group Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill as he stepped up to Saturday company for the first time.
Ridden by James McDonald, the son of Tavistock raced just off the speed on the rails for much of the contest in what was a sedately run affair.
The $2.70 favourite found room at the top of the straight to make his run and narrowly prevailed from the fast-finishing Gracilistyla with Danish Prince third.
“It is a big step up for the horse and a pretty capable and consistent Saturday performer (Gracilistyla) came at him late,” Cummings said.
“It was a good race and while he was getting all the favours, he was still able to get up and win so it is an impressive resumption for the campaign, and not many horses get to win a double hat-trick (four in a row).
“We had to give him a little bit of time. There were times where we weren’t that happy with him, but he has got a wonderful pedigree to keep improving and he might be able to get further.
“Nevertheless he is going about it the right way now and he should have a good base and now he can aim at a couple of targets.”
Winning jockey James McDonald was pleased with the BenchMark 78 victory, with the race shape not particularly suiting the progressive bay.
“He has got good quality and I thought that was a pretty strong 78,” McDonald said.
“Especially coming from midweek, he is lightly raced and he is only a big baby but he has got talent and it would have been better with a flowing race.”
By the late Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock, Marquess is out of the multiple Group One winning mare Purple, who boasts the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) on her resume. Marquess is bred and raced by Godolphin.
