Marcus the man again at Greyville

Ken Nicol

Once again Anton Marcus is the man to follow on the Greyville turf track this Sunday.

He has the outstanding Win bet of the day in the form of Pathfork gelding Canadian Bolt in Race 2, a Maiden Plate for three-year-olds over 1400m.

This son of USA-bred mare Quebec Express was drawn widest on his Polytrack debut here, but ran on strongly to get within a neck of Lickerio, who had stolen something of a march.

The 200m further he now goes is sure to suit, and with the added bonus of Marcus up can confidently be expected to leave the maiden ranks.

He is a worthy favourite, worth a decent bet, and should be bankered in the BiPot and PA.

If he does fluff his lines it becomes an open affair. All of Driven Force, Tiger’s Bond, Little Bristol, Path To Texas, Peacock Alley and Wordbuster would have to be considered.

Marcus has ultra-competitive mounts throughout, with White Lightning (Race 3) and Captain Von Trapp (Race 6) making strongest appeal of the balance.

The former finished a runnerup in both outings, but was a little disappointing as 11-10 favourite a week ago at Scottsville when taking forever to get going.

He is drawn far better now though, and should be closer to the action, but may well have to settle for bridesmaid duty again, as year older Sharpe’s Eagle is also overdue to win.

He stayed on well despite casting a shoe and hanging when trying this trip last time, and for me rates the one to beat.

These two should fight it out, and Swingers and Exactas could be the way to go.

Captain Von Trapp is an extremely lightly raced five year old, and has produced a couple of decent places from bad draws following a year off the track.

These have both been under inexperienced 4kg claimer Yuzae Ramzan, who is yet to score a victory, so the booking of 100+ Grade 1 winner Marcus is a jockey strike second to none.

When you add in the pole position draw, this Captain Al gelding starts to make even more appeal, with the biggest question mark the fact that he is unproven over this distance.

If he stays he will go mighty close.

The other top bet of the day is impeccably bred filly Perfect Air in Race 7 for the Dennis Drier – Sean Veale combination.

She has won her last two races in good style, and hardly looks overmatched at FM 68 level.

If fit and well after a two-month break should be too good.