It was a case of ex-pat Kiwis combining as Jaylah Kennedy enjoyed another memorable day at the Caulfield Heath on Saturday, as she celebrated a double on the program.
Seven days after starring at Ballarat by winning the Ballarat Cup aboard Berkeley Square, Kennedy guided Thailess and former Kiwi galloper Marble Arch to glory at the main Melbourne race meeting for the weekend.
Saturday’s success was the second this preparation for Per Incanto mare Marble Arch, who won the inaugural A$300,000 Future Stars Series Final at Pakenham last year.
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained mare stormed over the top of the hot favourite Warnie to claim victory in the Ive – idea – execution Handicap (1500m).
“We drew really well, there was going to be good speed on always, then I was just able to get in behind that and I wasn’t a part of that battle,” Kennedy explained.
“We had plenty of horse underneath me, we got off the fence at the right time and followed the right horses into the turn, and she was really good with the lightweight.”
Kennedy has capitalised on her recent opportunities at metropolitan level. Prior to Saturday, the Kiwi apprentice had ridden two other winners at the Heath track this month and was also in the winners’ circle at Caulfield on Thousand Guineas Day last month.
A daughter of Little Avondale Stud’s outstanding sire Per Incanto, Marble Arch was purchased privately by the Lindsay Park team after finishing third at Wanganui in her only start in New Zealand for trainer Wayne Marshment.
Bred by Goodwood Stud, Marble Arch is out of the four-win Sakhee’s Secret mare Jonquil and stems from the family of Group One winners Atishu and Daffodil.
The now five-year-old mare was initially sold as a weanling for just $3,100 via gavelhouse.com.
Saturday’s victory was Marble Arch’s seventh career win from 18 starts, with a further three placings, as she advanced her career earnings to A$456,546.
