Marshall on the move – Ballan is now home

Respected horseman Kyle Marshall, who continually turns out his team looking an absolute picture, has moved his harness racing operations.

Ex-Kiwi Marshall and his partner Sophie Jeffries have been based at the Cranbourne Harness Racing training Centre since moving to Australia early in 2023, but three days ago shifted to a 30-acre property at Ballan, 30 minutes from Melton.

“It’s truly horse heaven! I think we’ll be calling this home for a long, long time. It’s the sort of property that we all look for and we’re just so excited,” Marshall said.

“There’s quite a few walk-in, walk-out boxes with yards, plenty of paddocks and the track will be great – we’re so fortunate that it came up and that we got it.”

Marshall had high praise for the Cranbourne base where the couple spent 20 months.

“It was a great starting point when we moved over. It’s a super club and people like CEO David Scott, who actually got us in there, just can’t do enough for you,” he said.

“The facilities are the best and obviously we’re going to miss everyone, including all the other trainers, particularly Scotty Ewen and partner Kylie who we shared a barn with.”

Marshall said the couple had a team of 12 racehorses in work with a number of youngsters to come in.

“The idea is to keep it to around this number. You can keep a handle on things, and it also frees us up a bit if we want to travel and race at some of the bigger carnivals,” he said.

“I had hoped that we’d go to Queensland last year, but it didn’t work out, so I’m really keen to make it happen this year. Obviously, we can make room for more if the right ones came along because that’s what we’re all after.

“We will be a bit more centrally located. Melton and Ballarat are a similar distance away and we’re excited about the opportunity to race more at Melton.”

No doubt the stable’s highly talented pacer Bach (Bettors Delight) will be a regular on the journey along the Western Highway. The five-year-old won eight in New Zealand before being sent to Marshall, who won five from 11 starts last season, including two at free-for-all level.

Bach is back in work and due to return soon, while speedy four-year-old Smoken Ace (Sportswriter), who won seven from 15 last season, looked comfortable winning a Melton trial last Tuesday.

The stable also has a big opnion of Fire Marshall (American Ideal). He won a heat of the Alabar VicBred Platinum Homegrown Classic (2yo colts and geldings) at Melton before finishing fourth in the $25K final to the Emma Stewart-trained Captain Perfect.

Then there’s also three-year-old trotter Claudy’s Hero (What The Hill) to keep an eye on.  He posted wins at Ballarat (Dec 19) and Melton (Jan 3) before being sent for a short spell.

Marshall has been a model of consistency in recent seasons, training 17 wins and 25 placings in 2023 and then improving in the recent completed year with 22 wins and 37 placings

“Hopefully we can continue to grow and succeed along the way.  This is home now, and I think we’ll be hosting all the Christmas parties next December because our families are all keen to come over which will be great.”