Group Two performer Marroni has placed at stakes level over a mile on two occasions, and he will be seeking to improve on those results in Saturday’s Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham. 

While in the care of former trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, the son of Makfi was victorious in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2250m) and placed in the Gr.2 Easter Handicap (1600m), before placing in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) while under the sole care of Forsman. 

Following a couple of unplaced runs from Forsman’s Melbourne satellite stable, he was then transferred to the care of Waipukurau trainer Simon Wilson where he has enjoyed the rural setting of the smaller barn. 

He placed in his last three outings for Wilson, all over 2200m, and Saturday’s mile distance is the Hawke’s Bay horseman’s only query ahead of Marroni’s first-up test. 

“He has done a lot of work to get ready for it, he has had a few jump outs and a trial,” Wilson said. 

“He was runner-up in his trial (over 1000m at Waipukurau last month) and I was happy with the trial. He was competitive and Kate Hercock, the jockey, was happy with him.” 

Marroni will be partnered on Saturday by Kavish Chowdhoory and will carry 54.5kg from gate eight. 

Wilson doesn’t have any set plans with Marroni post-Saturday but is looking forward to getting him up over ground, given his affinity for 2200m last preparation. 

“Last season he ran over 2000 and 2200m, and he finished the season off well, so we will head towards that distance,” Wilson said.  

“It is just very hard to find the right races for an open handicapped horse. We will see how he goes first-up and then we will make a plan from there.”