Racing: Marsh off to Singapore

One of New Zealand's leading thoroughbred trainers, Bruce Marsh, is to take up a training position in Singapore.

Marsh, who has been negotiating with Singapore racing officials for several months, received official notification on Monday that his licence had been approved.

He and wife Kay, who reside in Palmerston North, will probably move to Singapore in about a month's time.

"All going well, we hope to be set up over there sometime in April," Marsh said.

Marsh will be based at the Kranji Racecourse, where 40 boxes have been made available to him.

"At this stage I'll be looking to take 12 horses up there with me but just which ones has yet to be finalised," Marsh said.

"They are horses that are either racing or have had barrier trials and are mainly from our Woodville and Awapuni stables."

Marsh follows fellow New Zealand trainers Laurie Laxon, Paddy Busuttin and Stephen Gray, who have all achieved tremendous success in Singapore in recent years.

The Woodville and Awapuni stables that Marsh has operated successfully in partnership with his son Stephen for the past two seasons will continue as normal but will be managed solely by Stephen.

Bruce Marsh said one of the main reasons for his move to Singapore is the frustration of having to race horses in New Zealand for such low stakemoney.

- NZPA