Jamie Marsh Hoping For A Wedding Present From Ambitious Gem
Canning Vale trainer Jamie Marsh has an extremely busy week ahead – he is set to get married on Thursday as well as being represented in Mandurah's Kanyana Cup Final on Friday night with Ambitious Gem.
“I'm not sure if I will be able to go on Friday night considering I am getting married on Thursday”, Jamie laughed.
Ambitious Gem exited from box three in the fifth heat of the Kanyana Cup run over the 490 metre distance. The blue dog was unable to hold off a late surge from David Hobby's chaser Prang Monelli, who has dominated the 490 metre distance at Mandurah with six wins from 14 starts.
“It was his first 490. He hadn't trialled out of the boxes there and the furthest he had ever been was 400, so we weren't expecting him to go as well as he did.”
Despite finishing second behind Prang Monelli, the son of El Grand Senor – Cosmic Sapphire qualified in equal second fastest time for the final.
“We thought he would jump on the arm, but he fought out the last 60 metres a lot better than we expected him to. He isn't an overly strong dog, so we expected him to get quite tired before the line but he didn't.”
“The box isn't ideal, it would be better for him to be drawn closer to the fence but we are happy to be there to have a crack at it.” Marsh explained.
“His first split was quite good last week, so if he jumps on the bunny the field might get held up, so he may be able to sneak away with the win.”
Marsh believes the dog to beat in the final is Prang Monelli, despite jumping from box eight. After qualifying the fastest of the heats, the son of Collision – Joanne Monelli has more then deserved his place in the field as likely favourite.
“I think Bekim Maxim has a pretty big motor and he has run some really fast times in the past. He can be a bit tardy early, but if he gets room and winds up he is a massive chance too.”
“We are going to have to be very lucky, we need to hit the front and hope for a little bit of drama behind. Prang Monelli and Bekim Maxim are definitely the two to worry about in the final.”
“He can play up in the boxes, but if he comes out like he did last week it will help. This week is going to be a lot harder, especially jumping from the six but we are a good chance of hitting the front.”
As for what's next for this young chaser, Marsh will gauge how he pulls up after his second run over the 490 metre distance and make the decision from there.
“After his first 490 he pulled up fine but he did feel the run though. He will be fitter for the run. The second 490 will be a big test, they can tend to pull up a bit sore.”
“We will take it one week at a time – there is a big difference between the 490 at Mandurah and the 530 at Cannington. He will stay over the 490 for the next two to three weeks and we will see what happens from there.”
“Hopefully he has a bit of a future over 490 and maybe even the 530 down the track.”
Kanyana Cup Box Draw
1 Waiter's Eye Linda Britton
2 Bekim Maxim Linda Britton
3 El Deseo Andrew McLaren
4 Fast Arrow Michelle Beamish
5 Stangafied Brad Yates
6 Ambitious Gem Jamie Marsh
7 Private Notes Linda Britton
8 Prang Monelli David Hobby
9 Tarks Law Michelle Beamish
10 Wreck Monelli David Hobby