The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained Mongolian Marshal exacted a measure of revenge when he turned the tables on his last-start conqueror in Saturday's Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m).
The promising High Chaparral four-year-old had been defeated by race-rival Igraine when the pair clashed for the first timein last month's Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m).
This time it was Mongolian Marshal who gained the upper hand as he produced a powerful burst in the home straight to out-finish the pace-making Igraine, who fought on bravely for second ahead of top-weight Five To Midnight.
Co-trainer Murray Baker believes the improved footing, with Te Rapa racing on a Dead4 surface as opposed to the Slow7 at Pukekohe, was a key component to the victory.
"The plan was to hold him up a bit so he could sprint and he sprinted well enough," he said. "The track might have tripped him a wee bit at Pukekohe although the winner was far too good that day.
"I have to be honest in that I was wondering if he was just a 2000m horse although he did run eighth in the ATC Derby (2400m) where he came from well back. "He's quite brilliant over a mile so it had us wondering."
Baker wouldn't be drawn on future plans for his charge who races in the colours of co-owner, the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd, whose principal Lang Lin is commonly known as "Mr Wolf".
"He cost Mr Wolf a bit of money but thank goodness he is here." The win capped off a productive period for the Baker/Forsman team who saw their lightly raced Savabeel filly Queen Of Diamonds hand out a beating to her three-year-old rivals in the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1550m) at Awapuni just 20 minutes earlier.
