Tuesday, 26 June 2012: Highly promising youngster Windicatorr made it win number three from his five starts on the Taipa all weather with a decisive win in the Class 3 at Taipa on Friday night.
Ridden by apprentice Charles Perkins, Windicatorr powered right over the top of a handy Class 3 lot to win easily on the wire by a length and a quarter from Nga Tim (Louis Corrales), with Secret Gathering (Horace Lam) in third.
The youngest horse in the field at three years old, Windicatorr clocked a smart 1.02.8 for the 1050 metre journey and had trainer Craig Marshall lamenting somewhat after the win.
“I should have run him in the Lisboa race.” Marshall said.
“I was a bit worried about Joe Lau's horse (Classic Happy) as I only beat him an inch last start and I thought he would come on a lot from that.”
“Looking at my time I would have won the race, they were .03 slower then my horse but that's racing I guess.”
Marshall was full of praise for French lad Charles Perkins after the win.
“A great ride, lots of patience by Charles he did not get drawn into the speed battle up front and they went very hard.”
“I was really impressed with the way my horse motored home when into space.
Marshall now will aim the son of Will He Shine for the second leg of the Lisboa Series on July 20.
Windicatorr's victory continued the good run for the Marshall yard that has some nice young talent coming up through the ranks.
“I'm really delighted with my young horses at present.”
“These are all unraced young horses hand picked by me that I have developed, and I have a few more on the way that I have high expectations for.”
Englishman Marshall comes from a great racing background.
His Father Sinclair was one of the top riders in India for many years, and his Mother is a sister to former top Hong Kong conditioner Lawrie Fownes, making him a first cousin to both Casper Fownes and Sean Woods.
Marshall honed his craft in the States with years spent under top conditioners Todd Pletcher, Christophe Clemente and Jerry Toner.
