Anton ‘Superman’ Marcus to save the day
Ultra Magnus runs to keep unbeaten record.
ROBBIE and Shannon Hill-trained Genereight wasn’t fancied on debut. In fact, he drifted out from 25-1 to 55-1 for the win – so I was surprised to see him run an absolute cracker, making up tremendous ground over the last 300m, beaten a rapidly diminishing 1.50 lengths into second by a decent filly, La Valette, over 1200m at Scottsville.
If that performance is any indication, this daughter of Eightfold Path should have no issues with shedding her maiden tag when she lines up in Race 8, a FM Maiden Plate over 1400m on the Greyville Polytrack today.
Genereight was basically beaten by greenness on debut and will have learnt from that loss. Considering this threeyear-old has a top-tier jockey in Anton Marcus aboard, and a plum No 1 draw, she is unlikely to lose. The manner in which she finished that race over 1200m strongly suggests that she is yearning for the extra ground. Add the fact she has the best form in the field, and she becomes a worthy Pick 6 banker.
Ultra Magnus was a breath-taking startto-finish winner on debut, beating Global Exposure by 2.75 lengths despite carrying 2.5kg more. This smashing Oratorio colt will attempt to remain unbeaten when he contests Race 2, a Novice Plate over 1200m – and I believe he is a great BiPot and Place Accumulator banker.
“He’s a pretty smart horse in the making,” said assistant trainer Peter Muscutt on Tellytrack. “He is a high quality colt that does everything right on the track. He is very enthusiastic about his work and, I think he certainly won’t stop here.” Marcus retains the ride aboard this two-year-old, who could prove far better than his rating of 80 suggests. Ultra Magnus comes into this contest with 59kg to shoulder, however, Brett Crawford’s charge will have to jump from a wide No 7 draw in this eight-horse field, the only real chink in his armour.
If the Quartet is more of your game, float Ultra Magnus and J J’S Captain with the remainder of the field.
Marcus rides Each Way prospect Cruz Giovanni in Race 4, a Maiden Plate for three-year-old’s over 1600m. There was a lot to like about his debut performance when finishing a length behind Copenhagen considering he was drawn worst of all and had to carry 1.5kg more than the winner – the odds were stacked against him! This R220 000 purchase is smartly drawn at No 3 on this occasion and should relish the extra ground. Plus Marcus has opted to partner with Crawford’s charge instead of Sigismund, the main danger. Alistair Gordon’s runner has become a rather costly horse to follow, failing to justify favouritism in his last two appearances. In his defence, you can put a line through his latest encounter when beaten four lengths into second by Blackburn Roc because he was returning from a layoff of almost four months.
This three-year-old Dynasty gelding will strip a lot fitter and should improve lengths, plus he is actually weighted to win this contest easily but will have to jump from a No 7 draw. I would advise you go the boxed Swinger and Exacta route in this event, featuring Cruz Giovanni and Sigismund.