Anton Marcus and apprentice Khanya Sakayi both rode trebles at the eight race Scottsville meeting yesterday.

Marcus was at his best in the first race on the hot favourite Uncle Charlie from the Garth Puller yard. The big horse had a lot of ground to make up in the straight of the 1400m Maiden event and looked to have too much to do as the horses towards the inside had stolen a march and he was taking a while to get going. However, Marcus got him into top gear in the last 200m and he got there in the nick of time.

Puller and Marcus scored a double when the decent sort Mashari won the last race, a MR 63 Handicap over 1400m, with ease and looks to be one to follow.

Marcus had earlier won the second race aboard the Louis Goosen-trained odds-on favourite Song Of The Forest, who enjoyed first time blinkers and converted 19/20 odds comfortably.

The hardworking 2,5kg claimer Sakayi rode the last three legs of the Jackpot, winning the fifth race aboard the Paul Gadsby-trained topweight Expresso Martini, the sixth on the Glen Kotzen-trained Chestnut’s Charm and the seventh on the Duncan Howells-trained Silver Raisin.

The easiest winner of the day was the Dennis Drier-trained Silver Prancer, who is improving in the typical fashion of a Silvano four-year-old filly and won the fourth race over 1950m by 5,40 lengths despite it being her eleventh start in the maidens.

There was also a win for Dennis Bosch and Warren Kennedy with Ella’s World, who looks to be another one to follow. 

By David Thiselton