Australian-bound Marshall has two drives tonight

A return to Australia has always been on the cards for Kyle Marshall and the Waikato harness racing horseman believes now is the right time to go.

Marshall spent time in Victoria under the tutelage of expat Kiwi trainer Brent Lilley nearly a decade ago and he has been enticed to cross the Tasman once more by the Cranbourne Harness Racing Club.

“When I was with Brent Lilley nine years ago, it was always in my plan to eventually go back to Australia and give it a crack,” Marshall said.

“I have decided that now is the right time and I am really looking forward to it.

“They have good facilities over there and just a lot more opportunities around Melbourne.”

Marshall is in his fifth season training out of Cambridge Raceway and he said he owes a lot to the northern training centre for helping kick-off his training career.

“I couldn’t go anywhere if I didn’t have a training facility. Cambridge Raceway has been a massive help to get me where I am, but to keep going forward it is time to go,” he said.

In the last four seasons, Marshall has won 42 races from 369 starts. One highlight was placing in the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3 – 2YO C & G Mobile Pace (1980m) with Son of Mac (American Ideal), who is set to join Marshall across the Tasman.

“Son Of Mac has got a couple of races here, which is the reason why I have delayed my move,” Marshall said.

“A couple of his owners reckon his future is in Australia, and I agree, so he will go over after his couple of races here which he is paid up for.”

A number of his stablemates are also earmarked for the move.

“I am going to take as many as I can that I think will benefit going over there,” Marshall said. “At the moment that is most of them.”

It will be an easy transition at his Cambridge barn, with Marshall’s father David set to renew his license and take over the lease.

“Dad will keep the barn going here at Cambridge. The ones that stay here will transfer to his name and he will just do the young ones,” Marshall said.

While he is excited about the move, Marshall is looking forward to making the most of his remaining time at home, which will include two drives at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday (Jan. 19).

He will partner Hee in the Tote Burger Open Now Mobile Pace (2200m) and That’s Entertainment in The Bionic Luk Chin 80th Birthday Handicap Trot (2200m).

“Hee is going well,” Marshall said. “Last start he got on the fence and no horse made ground in that race.

“He is a horse that is getting better with racing. He is a nervy type, so is just settling down each start and really learning how to race.

“That’s Entertainment is one from the South Island. He trialled on Saturday and went okay. I think he will benefit from a couple of races and will be one to watch.”

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by Joshua Smith, for Harness News Desk