Marchland set to march on to greatness for Mitchley

Danie Toerien

Anything you can do, I can do better, is a famous show tune from the musical Annie Get Your Gun dating back to the 1940s.

Well, Eastern Cape trainer Kelly Mitchley has dropped the gauntlet and looks to be challenging champion trainer Alan Greeff as to who will have the best two-year-filly this season in Gqerberha.

Last season Greeff produced three amazing champions in Golden Palm, Anotherdanceforme, and Direct Hit, but this year Mitchley seems to hold the Ace with Marchland, her daughter of Malmoos.

Marchland, who won her debut by 5.5-lengths, looks to be the real deal.

Mitchley on Thursday said that she is not the only one to consider Marchland a star in the making. Champion jockey Richard Fourie has also made it clear that Marchland is headed for great success.

Lining up today in Race 7, the East Cape Fillies Nursery over 1 200m, Mitchley said she believes she "has the best horse in the race".

"Obviously I can't judge the unraced horses in the field."

According to Mitchley, Marchland has improved from her first run and "she is working a lot better and I do believe she can bring home the Fillies Nursery".

Mitchley also said that she believes she has the best two-year-old filly in the Eastern Cape.

"I think she is something special. I really do. I personally don't think that anyone will beat her."

Mitchley added that when horses know they are good, they leave it for race day, and this exactly how she sees Marchland.

Jockey Muzi Yeni, who rode Marchland to victory on debut, also told Mitchley that this filly is a special one. "He told me not to run her in PE again. He said I must take her to Joburg.

"Even Richard Fourie told me to take her to Joburg for the Nursery. For two jockeys of this caliber to say that, means this horse is good."

Judging by these accolades, don't expect any decent odds on Mitchley's runner on Friday.