It’s Big Pleasure to have Marcus in Port Elizabeth

IT’S race over!

This is the early prediction from Eastern Cape punters after trainer Joey Ramsden booked Anton Marcus to ride Big Pleasure in the Champion Juvenile Plate over 1 400m at Fairview tomorrow.

Seasoned punter and racing correspondent Tommy Gerber said: “It is Anton’s race. Who else?”

It came as no surprise that Big Pleasure has been priced up at 8-10. Ramsden and Marcus form a formidable team and even more so when they have feature race runners.

The Horse Chestnut colt may have just needed his last when runner-up behind Tap O’ North in the Listed Langerman over 1500m at Kenilworth.

Big Pleasure finished fifth on debut at Kenilworth before winning his maiden by 1,25 lengths when he defeated Klopp over 1 400m.

This will be the first time Marcus is in the irons and with a perfect No 4 draw he is undoubtedly the horse to beat.

But in recent months the locals stars have stood up to the more fancied raiders and proven that a victory at Fairview is no more a walk in the park. Visiting runners will have to work hard to get to the finishing post first.

Therefore Marcus will have to keep a close eye on Banjo Buzz, Pinnacle Peak and Precious Pansy. Banjo Buzz, who will be ridden by Karl Zechner for the Yvette Bremner yard, looks capable of an upset.

She is drawn at gate No 2 and is a consistent sort. Banjo Buzz recorded her first win in her fifth outing, and then ran a close second, only 0,10 lengths behind the winner, Queen Forever, in her last start.

Zechner will ride her for the second time and that could be an advantage.

Pinnacle Peak, from the Dorrie Sham stable, has won one race in two starts and will have Marco van Rensburg up. The son of Querari is also a strong contender.

Others to consider are Coyote Creek, who won his last race by a comfortable 5,25 lengths and Seattle Flame, who won his last race by five lengths.

However, it will come as a big surprise if Marcus does not collect the winner’s cheque for owners Mr J Casse & Mayfair Speculators.

In the final analysis Big Pleasure, who is regarded as the banker of the day, gets the nod to beat Banjo Buzz, Pinnacle Peak and Precious Pansy to the post.

Race 1 is the Fairview Maiden Plate over 1200m with 12 runners facing the starter. Alan Greeff-trained Kiftsgate is set to get punters off to a winning start.