First stakes win for Makfi in Australasia

Trained by Moira Murdoch and racing in the colours of his breeders, Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Marky Mark kept his own perfect form line intact while ending the unbeaten run of a number of juveniles in the New Year's Day feature.

Speaking to New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing, Murdoch said of her winner, who was ridden by Leith Innes: "Wasn't that impressive. He's always been a real little character and he really is untapped. It was a super field and there was so much pace on, but he's a real professional."

It is thought Marky Mark will now be prepared for New Zealand's autumn Group One two-year-old prizes.

His sire, who is owned by Qatar Bloodstock, has shuttled between Tweenhills Farm and Stud in Gloucestershire and Westbury Stud in Karaka, New Zealand, for the past four years. For 2015, Makfi, a son of champion sire Dubawi, has transferred to HH Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval in France, a move that gives French breeders easier access to the Classic-winning miler.

Picture of Marky Mark: Trish Dunell