Marcus is back in town
Champion jockey Anthony Delpech is set to continue winning ways at the Vaal today.
Jockey Anton Marcus is set to produce a 100% strike rate at the Vaal today, courtesy of Mardi Gras – the only horse he is carded to ride.
The pair team up in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, and Marcus looks set to win the event and make it to the airport in time to catch an early return flight back to Durban!
The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained colt was a R3.2-million purchase and drifted in the betting over 1000m on debut. He raced greenly and was beaten 2.50 lengths into third by He’s Great.
Mardi Gras was eight lengths behind the leader at the 400m marker and got into racing mode only over the last 50m, which suggests he will relish the extra 200m.
“That was a flying finish from the grey son of Oratorio. Watch Mardi Gras, he is one to pencil in next time out,” said race-caller Nico Kritsiotis during his commentary. The form of that race has worked out well. He’s Great followed up next time and then finished second, beaten 0.20 lengths by Brigtnumberten.
Anthony Delpech is riding like a man possessed at the moment and the TAB double from Mardi Gras into his mount Bright Blessed Day in Race 2 could pay well.
This Gavin van Zyltrained gelding is the best-handicapped runner in this 1200m Maiden Plate and he ran a noteworthy second behind State Trooper last time. The winner went on to beat a decent field on Tuesday, so expect a massive run from Van Zyl’s charge.
A Highveld meeting rarely finishes without the trainer-jockey combination of Mike de Kock and Delpech winning a race or two. They team up with Mackbool in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1800m. The average merit rating of this field is 56 and De Kock’s charge currently runs off a merit rating of 70. If he can overcome a wide draw he should have no trouble winning.