Pacer shows winning form

FORMER Kiwi pacer Za Marlon opened his winning account in Australia in the feature Choice Hotels Pace at Cranbourne on Thursday night.
Now in the care of Pearcedale trainer Bill Walker and raced by first-time owner Matt McClellan, Za Marlon has been mixing his form since arriving from New Zealand earlier this year. The son of Our Sir Vancelot put the writing on the wall with a strong effort at his previous start and looks to have finally turned the corner on the strength of his Cranbourne success.
Settling three back on the marker pegs after the start, Za Marlon travelled comfortably in a muddling run race. Rounding the home turn, driver Simone Walker angled the six-year-old to the sprint lane and Za Marlon unleashed a powerful finishing burst to win, running away from Joes Beauty and Mystical Trick. Walker has nothing special planned for Za Marlon in the immediate future and will simply aim to take the gelding through his country classes now that he has found form.
“He certainly benefited from a recent short spell and looks as well as we have had him since he arrived,” Walker explained after the race.
“Hopefully he can now go on and continue to earn his keep”