Trish Dunell
The South Of The Bombay series has been very lucrative for Cambridge horseman Kyle Marshall.
The young trainer recorded another quinella in the series at Alexandra Park on Friday night, with Pembrook Charlie and Bettor Sensation going one-two in the Bonecrusher Promotions Spring S.O.T.B Vase Mobile Pace (1609m).
Last month it was a different story, with Bettor Sensation getting the better of Pembrook Charlie by a neck in the second round of the series, and Marshall said there is very little between the Trevor Casey-owned geldings.
“I can’t really split those two,” he said. “They both go pretty well and it was just whoever got the right run would be the better one on the night.”
Both geldings were given economical runs in the race, with Marshall taking a trail with Pembrook Charlie, while driver David Butcher had Bettor Sensation ideally placed in the one-one for the majority of the trip.
Between the series’ runs, Bettor Sensation was sent out to Raglan for a freshen-up, while Pembrook Charlie recorded a fourth-placing over 2200m at Alexandra Park earlier this month.
“I thought I would give Bettor Sensation a freshen-up, so I sent him to the beach for a couple of weeks and brought him back for the South of the Bombay race,” Marshall said.
Marshall has been pleased with his return and said Pembrook Charlie will now take his turn for a break, while Bettor Sensation will head towards the Melbourne Cup Day 3200m Pace at Cambridge Raceway on November 5.
He believes the five-year-old gelding will be ideally suited to the two mile distance.
“It’s much more his go,” he said. “Both of them are probably not at their best over a mile, but it’s just that they got in the right races with the South of The Bombay series, and I would like to acknowledge Auckland for having races for these horses.
“There are not too many two mile races around and it’s a good stake, so I think we will have a crack at it.”
Along with the $10,000 purse, Bettor Sensation will also have the opportunity to secure a $2,500 bonus for his connections if he lowers Mark Roy and Taxing Times’ track record of 4:05.4.
While looking forward to the race, Marshall said his only concern was the standing start.
“In the past he hasn’t stepped away that well, but in work we have given him a couple of stands and he has been fine,” Marshall said.
“I will probably give him a trial and see what he does. At least with two miles you have a chance to catch up and put him in the race if he is slow away.” – Cambridge Raceway
RACE REPLAY: Bonecrusher Promotions Spring S.O.T.B Vase Mobile Pace (1609m).
