Gower Sets Mongolian Sights on Mackinnon

Adelaide trainer Stuart Gower is hoping Mongolian Marshal (NZ) (High Chaparral-Ardeche, by Dehere) can be a player during the spring, with NZTM reporting he would like to see the gelding back at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week. After capturing Saturday's Listed Winter Championship Series Final (1600m), Gower intimated he's likely to aim the former New Zealand gelding at the Gr1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m). First, however, Mongolian Marshal will return to Adelaide for two weeks rest and recuperation before embarking on a spring campaign. Highlighting yet again that progeny of High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells) and those of his sons, should never be discounted in stakes company, Mongolian Marshal ($41) scored by just under a length over Furrion (Camelot) with Biometric (Bated Breath) a long-neck away third. "I couldn't believe what odds he was," Gower said. "They keep underestimating him, but it's been a massive result. I've had more on him today than when he won two starts ago. Noting that Mongolian Marshal is happiest between 1600m to 2000m, Gower "Ideally I'd like to find a nice mile race for him, but the end game would be having a crack at the Mackinnon." A Group 3 winner in New Zealand, Mongolian Marshal was initially trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman before being sold privately last year to clients of Gower's. He has advanced his record to eight wins for $550,552 in prizemoney. He was sold by Cambridge Stud as a yearling for $220,000 at NZB's Karaka sale.

Mongolian Marshall (pic: Mark Gatt)