Marcus to start with a ‘whizz’
AFTER a two-month break and having various appendages stitched back together, multiple champion Anton Marcus is back in fulltime action at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening.
Never one to sit back and let others dictate his course of action, Marcus has had two barrier trials to test fitness and booked himself some competitive rides that will hopefully announce his return.
First up he partners Valiente for Brett Crawford in the card opener where the switch back to the poly should prove beneficial after disappointing on turf last time out.
Valiente
Assistant Peter Muscutt has removed the blinkers and Valiente looks the part in a field that shows modest form.
Marcus has taken advantage of Warren Kennedy’ s absence due to the latter’s seven-day suspension and partners a few hot runners for Gavin van Zyl including the first timer Whizz Of Odds in the second.
“Whizz Of Odds barrier trialled well but unfortunately has a bad draw. But we are taking our chances because she is very quick. I rate her and she has a good winning chance,” commented Van Zyl to colleague David Thiselton mid-week.
Another Secret
Vying for favouritism are Another Secret and Royal View, the two finishing within a head of each other when last they met. Another Secret has the better draw this time around and that may give her the edge. Also in the mix is Katie’s Treasure who makes her poly debut but has shown some ability. The switch of surfaces could bring out the best in her.
Marcus has another plum ride in Wave, also for Gavin van Zyl. Wave is another that makes his poly debut but although returning from a break he has strong form in feature company.
He had the worst of the draw over a mile in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes last start but prior to that was up with the best of his generation.
Tonight’s trip is possibly on the short side but Van Zyl has declared blinkers and Wave could prove a little too smart for this line-up even though he is up against some useful opposition and Marcus will have to trim to 56kg!
Railtrip is another that Van Zyl is warming up for bigger things and he appears to have picked the ideal race for her second outing of the season in the Concorde Cranes Graduation Plate.
Although taking on males, Railtrip is well in at the weights and is a smart filly who should come on lengths from her last run. About the obvious dangers; What A Blast is back on his favourite surface while Dennis Drier saddles a lively pair in Walterthepenniless, who is possibly the stable elect, and Bank Robber who has his third run after a break and improved last time out.
If not making the winner’s enclosure by the fourth, Marcus should be on the mark in the fifth where he partners La Duchesse for Paul Gadsby. Placed in her last five starts, she is due a change of fortune and outside of a possible threat from the disappointing – to date at least - Tarocco, La Duchesse should be hard to beat.
On The Double
The sixth is a tricky handicap with many in with chances but On The Double has her third run after a break and has been up against stronger in those two starts.
She tries blinkers and should be cherry-ripe. Barinois has been consistent and her last win was over course and distance. She takes a small rating drop and with a claiming apprentice aboard will be a threat. One to watch is American Princess. She scrambled home on debut but was expected to do it a little easier so may have more to come.
The seventh has an impossible look about it but Agent Murphy is lightly raced and does appear to have scope.
He was in need of his last run when taking on stronger and can feature in a tough contest.
There is little separating the likes of Grande Maestro, Sovereign Soldier, Roy’s Taxi, Rumbleinthejungle and Jonathan while Putchini, out for the 99th time, hardly ever runs a bad race and was less than a length behind Sovereign Soldier last run.
Do Or Dare let the side down last time out has been costly to follow but should be worth another chance in the last where Academy Award and Man In The Moon look the most likely dangers. TURFFONTEIN Inside track has a nine race meeting tomorrow and there has been welcome rain which should lead to easier going.
Three-year-old prospect Gin Fizz appears in the fifth race, a Graduation Plate over 1450m, and is best in at the weights. Last time out she just failed to beat the highly regarded Vistula in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge over this course and distance. The concern is that she threatened to over race on that occasion before a strong pacemaker allowed her to drop in and settle in second. There does not appear to be pace in this race and she is drawn wide so she might have to lead.
Four-year-old filly Green Top is well regarded by Alec Laird and is only half-akilogram under sufferance. The blinkers are back on after she was beaten 9,5 lengths by Gin Fizz in that last race and she also has her third run after a long layoff. Against The Grain is 4kg under sufferance with Gin Fizz and has his second run after a long layoff, but is talented and the trip is ideal.
Urban Rock is 11kg under sufferance with Gin Fizz but looks capable of rising above his merit rating and has a plum draw. On pedigree, being by Seventh Rock out of Black Minnaloushe sprinter Mary Stuart, there is a slight stamina doubt. Tiger's Rock is a 12,5kg under sufferance and does not make appeal. Glider Pilot will find this too sharp and is returning from a 483 day layoff. Over Sharing's recent form is uninspiring and Shadows Night will be outgunned.
The meeting starts with a Maiden over 1200m and Eppagilia makes appeal as one with scope and having his second run after gelding from a better draw than last time.
In the second over 1600m Oyster King was caught in second place without cover last time and still stayed on for a close third so could prevail this time from a better draw.
Cairon made a good debut over 1450m and with expected improvement should go close from a plum draw. G I JOE quickened well to hit the front over 1200m last time before being run out of it and he has done well over this trip before, but it is his second run after a layoff and he has a tough draw.
Aurelia Cotta
In the first leg of the PA Eightfold's Lass drops back to her favourite 1600m trip and is well drawn. The enigmatic Aurelia Cotta has been consistent over this trip lately and is drawn in pole. Evening Bell is talented and could run well fresh over a trip too sharp.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m Atomic Blonde is well regarded so is interesting stepped up in trip. Festive Linngari will relish the course from a good draw and Rocky Path is ultra consistent. Tough Choice is in good form but was given a four point raise last time and So Long Spring could be involved if reproducing her run in September over course and distance.
In the sixth over 1450m Hartleyfour might well be looking for this trip and is well drawn. Category Four has a fine chance from a good draw and African Rock should also be involved.
Pidgeon Rock must be included although he has to prove he stays the trip and Pop Icon can be considered despite a wide draw as he waltzed home in his first try at this trip.
In the next Flash Burn has undoubted talent and is well drawn over an ideal course and distance. His stablemate Culture Trip won well last time and is the danger.
In the eighth over 1450m Marygold won well on debut and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark so can remain unbeaten.
Golden Spiral is in fine form and Kapama emerges well on formlines, but both have tough draws.
In the last over 1000m Arikel's form has been franked and she is taken to beat the consistent Claremorris and Black Ferrari, who is better than her last lacklustre outing.