Rhys Mildon has been Stephen Marsh’s lieutenant over the last few years and has been rewarded for his loyalty with a recent promotion to assistant trainer for Cambridge’s leading stable.

“He is the major cog in the wheel and is a massive part of the team. He is the overseer of the two barns,” Marsh said.

Mildon has been with the stable for the best part of 15 years and he said he has enjoyed his time working with Marsh.

“Stephen is the best boss I have had, that is why I have stayed here so long. He is so laidback and easy-going,” Mildon said.

Mildon brings with him a wealth of international experience, having spent time working in both Australia and England.

“I started out at Cambridge Stud where I spent two seasons before Marcus Corban sent me to Lindsay Park to work,” he said.

“It was an awesome opportunity and I was there for four or five years under Tony McEvoy and then David Hayes.

“I then went to England for a year and a half before I came home to New Zealand for the summer and started working for Stephen part-time and really enjoyed it.

“The foreman at the time was just leaving, so I took his position.”

The stable has grown to have a presence on both Islands, with Mildon charged with heading down to Christchurch on a regular basis to oversee their Riccarton barn.

“I oversee the Cambridge operation and work with Stephen running the Christchurch stable as well,” Mildon said.

"I try and make it down there a minimum once a month, basing it around a major race meeting or a day we have the most horses in.”

Over his time at Marsh Racing, Mildon has enjoyed plenty of success racing a number of his own horses.

“I have been very lucky. Are You Devious and Belle Fascino are the two best I have raced,” he said.

“Belle Fascino won two Group Threes and two Listed races. She literally put a roof over my head.

“At the moment I have got shares in Winning For All, who is a progressive, nice horse.”

With 100 wins to date this season, Mildon has been pleased with the way the season has gone and he is hoping to improve on that mark at Oamaru on Wednesday where he rates Miss Nico Belle in the Drummond & Etheridge (1200m) and Deels Done in the Bronsan Transport Limited (2200m) as their leading hopes.

“Deels Done is probably our best chance, he won that same race last year and loves the mud,” Mildon said.

“He is just hitting his straps now. Every year he takes a little longer to come up, but he will be bang on for Cup Week.

“Miss Nico Belle will be a good chance in the first race as well."