Kiwi pacer ready to orchestrate the perfect symphony

Kyle Marshall and Bach (Bettor’s Delight) will be hoping for the perfect harness racing symphony in the Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup.

Marshall, a local trainer at the Cranbourne facility, is expecting big things from the New Zealand gelding who has his first Australian start in Saturday night’s $100,000 feature.

“His work has been good,” Marshall said. “He came over as a fit horse from John Dunn who does a super job with their horses. He has come over in great order.

“He had a good trial (January 30 at Melton), Anthony Butt was happy with him.”

Butt will take the drive in Saturday night’s Cup, with Bach to start from gate four in his clash with last weekend’s A G Hunter Cup winner and $1.18 favourite Leap To Fame (barrier 10).

“I believe he is fit and it will be good to obviously stay ahead of Leap To Fame,” Marshall said.

“I’m not sure what the plan will be with Cya Art (five). Rakero Rebel has drawn two and she has been good.

“We have the right man on board to work that out when the gate leaves. He was happy with the work-out. When he was able to straighten up at the last 100, he really flew.

“He didn’t have anything bad to say.”

The five-year-old’s last run was on December 31 at Alexandra Park, Auckland, where he finished fourth to Dont Stop Dreaming in the Group 2 Franklin Cup.

Bach had a successful career in New Zealand winning eight of 29 starts amassing over $100,000 in prizemoney.

“He has been racing really well back home against the best horses and finishing thereabouts,” Marshall said.

“First run (in Australia) I do expect him to catch a few eyes. I think he will still get improvement out of it.”

Winning a hometown cup would be a dream come true for the 30-year-old, who only set up his base at Cranbourne in April after making the move from New Zealand.

“If I could get that one wrapped up it would be awesome,” he said.

“To beat Leap To Fame would mean heaps, too.”

Bach is rated a $14 chance to win Saturday night’s Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup, with Cya Art ($11), Petes Said So ($13), Bettor Isolate ($17) and Max Delight ($18) – who can eclipse $1million in earnings with a top three finish – among the other leading fancies to topple Leap To Fame.

Anton Golino-trained Im Ready Jet is favourite for the night’s other feature, the Betavet Bruce Skeggs Memorial Cranbourne Trotters Cup.

Scratched from last weekend’s Great Southern Star, Im Ready Jet is $1.60 from gate seven in the $50,000 event.

She sits on the top line of betting ahead of Kyvalley Hotspur and Mufasa Metro, who are both $4.80 chances.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria