Marcus calls time on retainer

CRAIG Kieswetter confirmed at Kenilworth yesterday that the family’s retainer on Anton Marcus has come to an end but he did not rule out retaining another jockey in place of the four-time champion.

He said: “This is at Anton’s request. His commitments in Durban and at Turffontein don’t fit in with our agreement. A lot clash which is unfortunate but it is his choice and we respect that.”

Marcus

This Saturday seems to have brought matters to a head. The Kieswetters and their Ridgemont operation have several runners at Durbanville while Marcus is at Turffontein for the SA Classic and SA Fillies Classic, races which totally eclipse those at Durbanville both in terms of class and cash.

Marcus said: “It is basically as Craig said and it was just a short-term clash. I would love to have kept the job, it was working very well and I had an amazing time with them.

I am bitterly upset that it has come to an end.

“I really hope that we can find our way back together in the foreseeable future because I would like nothing more than to get our association back on track.

If, in the meantime, the opportunity arises to ride any of their horses I would be delighted. Indeed nothing would make me happier and I have nothing but good words to say about the Kieswetters.”

Front And Centre

Their association has involved a succession of potentially high class horses, most notably the Cape Fillies Guineas winner Front And Centre.

Craig Kieswetter confirmed that the family will still retain Greg Cheyne and, asked if they are likely to retain another jockey as well, he replied simply: “No comment.”

Vaughan Marshall reported that his latest star two-year-old Captain Of Stealth has taken last Saturday’s impressive debut win in good shape and that, like One World last year, he will have another outing before the Langerman. “Did you see the time?” he enthused. “It was almost two seconds faster than One World’s maiden win.”

Marshall won yesterday’s juvenile race too with 22-10 shot Ground Control proving much too good at the weights for 17-10 favourite Minnesota Dream who could only manage fourth.

He said: “I thought it was between the two of them and that the 3kg might make the difference. Mine had shown good improvement at home and MJ is quite hot at the moment.”