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Eight Carat for top filly; Genius set for higher honours; Makfi off the mark; Encouraging run from Ringo.

Eight Carat for top filly

Group One winner O'Marilyn is expected to be back in action during the Auckland Christmas carnival.

The Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day is likely to be her next appearance.

Last season’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner missed a return trip to Awapuni for Saturday’s Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes due to a minor leg issue.

Genius set for higher honours

Genius added her name to a growing list of potential black type contenders in the stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman at the weekend.

The Savabeel mare came off a six month break to convincingly beat the race-fit duo of Dufellforte and Massale at Ellerslie over 1400 metres.

I expected her to go a really good race,” Baker said. “She had been working well and I think there’s a good race in this mare.”

Makfi off the mark

Makfiopened his winning account in the Southern Hemisphere when his Marky Mark made a winning debut at Ellerslie.

The Westbury Stud shuttle stallion has sired 19 Northern Hemisphere winners, including the stakes winner Cornwallville and Group performer Astrelle.

Marky Mark is trained by Moira Murdoch for Brendan and Jo Lindsay and a bold showing had been expected after two solid trial efforts.

“He’s a very nice little horse,” Murdoch said. “He’ll keep improving, he’s not really a two-year-old.”

Encouraging run from Ringo

Ringo looks set for a profitable summer campaign following his encouraging debut effort for Caulfield trainer Mick Price.

The five-year-old resumed in the Wellfield Lodge colours at Flemington on Saturday to finish a close second behind his stablemate Mighty Like over 1400 metres.

"A mile would be good for him," Price said.

The winner of five races for Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin before his transfer to Price, Ringo is a brother to the Group One winner and former NZB Filly of the Year Planet Rock.