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Mongolian Marshal wins 2018 Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup Group 3 NZ$100,000 at Te Rapa, 2400m.
Mongolian Marshal is in fine form in five starts since turning four with three wins and two seconds, including a last start second in the Counties Cup (Gr 3, 2100m) leading into a sound win here.
He was fifth, one off the fence, with a circuit to run and when the field compacted past the 1000m sat a handy sixth. Passing the 600m jockey Matt Cameron urged him closer, improving to third nearing the straight entrance. Into the straight he co-led then took over at the 300m.
Cameron drew the reminder at the 200m then kept pumping to the line to be a length and a quarter in front when it mattered for win five (maiden stakes win) from 13 starts. Igraine led them down the back straight as well as around the bend and into the straight, was caught at the 350m but kept fighting hard to the line.
Five To Midnight was third at the 600m, looked to challenge from the 400m but was anchored by his top weight of 60kg yet fought bravely to the line where the first three were clear of the rest. Excalibur ran on late for a distant fourth.