Jimmy James stuns punters with Kiwi Kyle in the sulky

Kyle Marshall’s return to Australia has started in style, with the New Zealand native scoring a long-odds harness racing success at Victorian harness racing headquarters.

The 29-year-old backed up his maiden Aussie training success at Shepparton on Tuesday with a driving victory at Melton on Saturday night (May 27).

Marshall joined forces with fellow Cranbourne trainer Scott Ewen, piloting $31 outsider Im Jimmy James (Big Jim) to his win in the Hylands Race Colours Pace.

The nine-year-old enjoyed a soft trip at the back of the field and then tracked rival Pesci into the race when Shaun McNaulty’s charge peeled three wide down the back straight. Pesci skipped clear entering the home stretch, but Im Jimmy James wore him down in the concluding stages to prevail by a little over 3m.

Ewen partnered stablemate Blazin Heaven and she closed off well for fifth.

“It’s good to come back, to turn up at Melton and get the drive on Scott Ewen’s horse,” Marshall said.

“We share the barn at Cranbourne and we get along good, so it’s good to get a win for him.

“Scotty thought they’d both be good chances with the right run and I think we just ended up with the better run.”

Former New Zealander Kyle Marshall drives Im Jimmy James to victory in the Hylands Race Colours Pace for Cranbourne trainer Scott Ewen pic.twitter.com/Z81e6lCcSS

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) May 27, 2023

Marshall arrived in Australia in April and landed his first training success on our shores on Tuesday when Wharewhiti prevailed at Shepparton.

He told TrotsVision it had long been a desire to get back to Australia after spending time here as a youngster early in his career.

“I was here nine years ago with Brent Lilley to do my junior claim over here and Brent was good,” he said.

“It was something I always wanted to come back to. I went home and gave training a go, got set up there, and it just ended up being the right time to come back.”

Marshall said he was looking to expand on his team of eight currently in work at the Cranbourne training centre, with top three-year-old Son Of Mac now in Australia and ready for a tilt at some of Victoria’s big features.

“He arrived two weeks ago and he’s coming up nicely,” Marshall said.

“He’s probably the best one I’ve got in my stable at the moment.

“We’re looking forward to targeting the Victoria Derby and Breeders Crown with him.”

Im Jimmy James’ win was the 15^th of his 120-start career and second for Ewen who only started training the son of Big Jim in February this year.

Ecklin South trainer-driver Matthew Craven landed the only double on Saturday night’s Melton card, with Heza Son Of Agun taking out the TAB Bold David Free For All after stablemate Sweetpassion opened the meeting with victory in the BetaVet Pace.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria