With Anthony Delpech side-lined, possibly permanently after his tragic and debilitating fall last season, and a dearth of opposition in the ranks, Anton Marcus has had free rein picking the plums in KZN.

Delpech kept the rivalry honest, but as a one-man business Marcus has no peers among our jockey ranks. A rider of undoubted talent and an astute student of form, no agents for him, and as any trainer will attest, if Marcus calls for a ride you know you may have done something right.

Marcus has booked himself a top book of rides on the Greyville poly this evening. Some may end up false favourites but he has a number of strong mounts for local trainers and visiting trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren has also tapped into his talent and the pair can make hay to night.

River Ayre (Candiese Marnewick)

The combination should get off to a winning start with El Sereno in the first although the gelding is deep in the red and probably not a betting proposition unless you are in to buying money. El Sereno has made steady improvement since making his debut back in May and came from way back to run second last time out. He looks cherry-ripe for this contest where Gordonstoun is the most likely threat. Duncan Howells was of the opinion that his charge was one-paced over the shorter sprint last time out and he can prove better over the extra furlong.

Marcus teams up with the Van Vuuren runner Torrey Pines in the fourth. The lightly raced filly is rated lengths superior to any of the opposition according to the merit ratings and should win as far as you can hit a golf ball.

Van Vuuren and Marcus could well be on track for a winning treble with Mademoiselle in the sixth. She finished a close-up second to River Ayre last time out and who has subsequently franked that form with another victory and is one of the fancied runners in the tenth at Turffontein tomorrow.

Mademoiselle takes to the poly for the first time and although she faces a mixed bag, 11-10 in the ante-post market looks a fair reflection of her chances.

Marcus looks to have picked another plum in the form of Antony Hotspur in the second. Alistair Gordon’s gelding has come back well after fracturing a bone his hock first time out. Recently rested, he was beaten two short-heads in his come-back run and with Marcus and a good draw in his favour he looks the right one in what is a competitive handicap field.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a tough race. Blinkers are not always a magic trick but they worked for Nathan Kotzen’s runner Virtuous who made major improvement last time out. That form has held up although the race is still wide open. The Grey Crusader has threatened for some time and the booking of Marcus has him favourite in the ante-post betting but the race goes a lot deeper than that. Captain Snell shows some promise and is a must include in all bets.

By Andrew Harrison

Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth, who will wear blinkers for the first time, has been installed 8-10 favourite with the sponsors for the World Sports Betting Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday. Favourites have won three of the last five runnings.

Rainbow Bridge is second favourite at 4-1 to remain unbeaten while Fifty Cents is next and as big as 8-1 even though Richard Fourie’s mount has won on all his four previous visits to the course. Last year’s winner Our Mate Art is a 10-1 chance as he was 12 months ago.

Tap O’Noth (Liesl King)

Goodtime Gal, like Tap O’Noth to be ridden by Anton Marcus, is 3-1 favourite to repeat last year’s success in the WSB Diana Stakes with Freedom Charter, Angel’s Trumpet and the three-year-old Lesedi La Rona all sharing second favouritism on 9-2. Langerman winner One World, yet another big Marcus ride, is 5-10 for the First Deposit Match Progress Place.

Met winner Whisky Baron, fresh from that stunning second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, now travels to France for the Qatar Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Saturday. William Haggas has still to finalise riding arrangements for the Group 2 test.

Charles, a R6 million record-equaller when bought as a yearling for Sue Magnier and Markus Jooste, still races In Mrs Magnier’s dark blue but the Mayfair Speculators’ share has been taken over by Diane Nagle, Linda Shanahan, Dina Sherrell and B.L. Rae.

The colt managed only a well-beaten fourth behind runaway winner Hemmingway in the Settlers Trophy Handicap at Durbanville yesterday but Brett Crawford still had a good day with three winners including a future star in Front And Centre who started 15-10 favourite for the 1 400m fillies handicap and made up six lengths inside a furlong to win pulling up.

Anton Marcus said: “I am pretty excited about her. She is just so professional – she put herself into position.”

Crawford is now considering the Western Cape Fillies Championship at Kenilworth on the 28^th saying, with masterly understatement, “She is a very smart filly.”

The winner is owned by the Kieswetter brothers and the Ridgemont Highlands Stud of their father Wayne who piloted himself to the course in his own helicopter and who was also on the mark with stable companion Heaven’s Embrace in the 1 400m fillies maiden. The 4-1 newcomer showed an impressive turn of foot under Marcus.

Crawford said: “I expected her to run very well but not to win – she is still very immature and has a lot to learn. I will give her another run and then make a decision about plans 15-10“

By Michael Clower

Punters face a few tricky decisions at the Vaal tomorrow. There are a number of races that are impossible to predict with any confidence and there are a couple that look to be obvious bankers. The quandary is whether you take a chance and bank the like of Aeronautical in the seventh and Pachanga in the eight and load up in the other legs of the exotics, or do you load all legs with as much as finances allow.

The lightly raced Aeronautical out of the Mike and Adam Azzie yard has only had three starts and finished runner-up in his last two. He stays the trip well and if merit ratings are anything to go by, he should prove difficult to beat.

Mike Azzie

However, there are a pair of three-year-olds that caught the eye on debut and both are stepping up to a trip which, on pedigree anyway, looks more suitable. Blame Game comes from the powerful Sean Tarry yard and was staying on nicely on debut over 1400m while Popsicle Toes was only run out of it late when making his debut over 1800m. Both should improve so it may be prudent to include both to provide back-up to Aeronautical.

Pachanga has not been out of the money since joining Ashleigh Fortune’s yard but it is a little worrying that she never seems to make it past the eventual winner, finishing runner-up in her last five outings. She was touched off a piece of paper last time out and maybe this time Gavin Lerena can get her home as she tries 2000m for the first time.

These two will be popular exotic bet bankers for the smaller investor as they will be hard-pressed to get through the balance of the card unscathed.

The opening leg of the PA is an Assessment Plate for fillies and mares where Railtrip is likely to be a popular choice. However, Chesney van Zyl’s filly has shown her best form over further and is returning from a break which could open the door for the likes of the lightly raced Captain’s Princess who contested strong feature races last season. She is smart and at best should feature prominently along with Vivir, who should be more at home over this trip.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Bien Venue sprinted up well in his seasonal debut and has shown plenty of ability. The extra should also suit. Of the balance, Orpheus showed up well first time back after gelding. He is lightly raced but has potential. Deerupt takes on some useful males but cannot be written off even though she took a little time to shed her maiden. She has not been out of the money in five outings.

The fifth is a tough handicap made even more difficult it being a race exclusively for apprentice riders. Endofmarch started a short-priced favourite for his new stable but finished down-field but he had some useful Cape form before that and may be worth another chance. Pachuco came from a long way back to finish third last time out. He has a light weight and an experienced apprentice aboard. Gonnafly has been taking on stronger at recent outings. He takes another merit rating drop and with a 4kg claimer up can be dangerous while Trip To Paradise came from well back to finish in the money last run and a repeat should see him competitive again.

The sixth is wide open. Come The Day continues to improve and was a game winner last time out. He is bred for this trip and can follow up. Odd Rob is an obvious danger having been in the money in his last four. He was closing fast on Come The Day last time out but didn’t quite get there so there should not be much between these two again. American Indian tried to make all in that same race but faded late. Given a more patient ride he could do better. Psychic ran well below ability last start at Turffontein but his best showings have been on this course so can make amends

By Andrew Harrison

Charles begins his journey to what could lead to the Cape Guineas in the Settlers Trophy Handicap at Durbanville today. But for now the all-important question is whether he will win this.

The R6 million purchase gets into the 1 400m race with bottom weight and yesterday afternoon he was sharing 28-10 favouritism with Jailhouse Rock in the books of Betting World. He was good enough to win at the first time of asking – no mean achievement – and he was then a more than respectable third to One World in the Langerman.

Mac De Lago

“It is not easy to find races for him but we have a programme mapped out and this is the first leg,” says Brett Crawford. “He is taking on experienced horses and it will be a nice test for him. He has only had the one grass gallop since the Langerman but he is very well and I am happy with him.”

Francois Herhodlt takes over because stable jockey Corne Orffer has to really struggle to do 52kg and Crawford does not want the colt to have to carry even half a kilo overweight.

He is rated 92, the same as Hemmingway but nine points inferior to Mac De Lago, and gets the weight-for age allowances from his rivals – and at this stage he has more potential than any of them.

But Jailhouse Rock is preferred. Justin Snaith said in a Tellytrack interview on Saturday that anyone who made money that day should play up their winnings at today’s meeting. Seemingly he expects to have a good day. He did not specifically mention this horse but the colt was unable to get a clear run when beaten a short head by Hemmingway last time and is half a kilo better. Admittedly that was three months ago but at 28-10 Richard Fourie’s mount makes considerable appeal.

Hemmingway is next in the market at 3-1 and Andre Nel expects him to run a big race – “He had two weeks in a paddock (after his last run) and has had two gallops since. One of those was here and he went well. This is his trip.”

There is no such confidence behind 8-1 top weight Mac De Lago. “His prep has gone haywire,” admits Dan Katz. “I was hoping to get two races into him before the Algoa Cup but both were cancelled so I am using this as his prep run.”

A much bigger danger is Zeb who is on a hat-trick after two wins over this trip and Greg Cheyne’s mount has been backed from 5-1 to 7-2 with World Sports Betting.

Front And Centre carries a first-time-out-of-the-maidens warning in the 1400m handicap (race seven) but she won so well on debut that she should go in again. She has already been backed and, if you can get better than 15-10, you will be doing well.

Stable companion Engage And Beware appeals at 33-10 in the first while 22-10 favourite Minona looks another for the Snaith-Fourie combination in race two.

By Michael Clower

Rainbow Bridge will face ten opponents when the Eric Sands-trained colt (Bernard Fayd’Herbe) puts his unbeaten record on the line in the World Sports Betting Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday. There has not been a bigger field for this Grade 3 test since Joshua’s Dream beat 12 home in 2007.

Some of the big names entered for the Progress Plates – including Langerman winner One World – will also get an outing, but only after a hectic day at the National Racing Bureau.

Candice Bass-Robinson hamishnivenphotography

Only four horses accepted for the male Progress Plate and just five for the female one with two-thirds of the nine runners coming from the Candice Bass-Robinson stable. Justin Snaith (2) and Vaughan Marshall (One World) were the only other trainers represented.

Snaith switched Miss Katalin to the WSB Diana Stakes and the two Plates were briefly combined only for trainers to report that they couldn’t get jockeys light enough as the fillies were to receive 2.5kg. Both Plates were then scrapped and the NRB introduced a MR 68 handicap to make an eight-race card. That too was scrapped and a revised Progress Plate (including One World and Kasimir) was put in its place.

The popular Barn market will be back on Saturday when the intention is to turn the meeting into a family day with attractions for children as well as braai facilities and the celebrated Jockeys’ Chase.

Justin Snaith, already leading the log by nearly R500 000, has been installed 11-20 favourite to retain his trainers’ championship. Three-time champion Sean Tarry (18-10) and Mike de Kock (7-1), who has won the title eight times, are the only others quoted by World Sports Betting.

Drill Hall winner Perovskia, unable to get a run in the Vodacom Durban July, has top Cape Town ambitions this season and Harold Crawford said: “The aim is the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and, while I don’t yet know where he will start, he is now back in work.”

By Michael Clower

Every thoroughbred sale is a well of hope for those with the means and in some cases, those without the means, ask any trainer forced to retain shares in many of their string.

The million-rand tag for for an unknown yearling, with only its family and appearance to recommend them, has long been for the elite few. Some turn out fast, many turn out slow and quite a lot are in between, but the million figure is a watermark where expectations lap the levee banks menacingly and “I told you so” is only a short swim in either direction.

Gunner (Candiese Marnewick)

But as the cliché goes, “not trainer has ever committed suicide with an unraced yearling in his yard”. Hope springs eternal, but even for trainers who are fortunate enough to pick from the top of the tree, life is not easy and the regally bred R1 million yearling can become an albatross around their necks – owners turn sour and the ignorant public demanding results.

The price tag at least suggests that the horse has everything in the right place, but that is not a guarantee. As John Dunlop, trainer of Snaafi Dancer, a $10 million ($25 million in current dollars) yearling, lamented, “He walked very well, looked the part but was very slow.” So slow in fact that his owner, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,  thought it would be embarrassing to run him in public. Snaafi Dancer was retired to stud duty where he was discovered to have fertility problems. From two years of breeding, he sired only four foals, three of which raced with limited success.

Standing on the rails one a chilly morning it became obvious. “Those three,” said the trainer, pointing out a trio of well-grown, striking two-year-olds, “cost over a ‘bar’ each. That one over there, cost 40k and might be the best of them.”

The point here is that the price tag does not guarantee success.

But a lot can happen between sales and a race as horses mature at different rates.

The precocious two-year-old who looks a star in the making, can prove a liability at three. A recent example is Gunner, a winner of the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes at the end of his two-year-old career who took a further two years to win another race.

“He was precocious as a juvenile but you have to be careful of those horses,” cautioned trainer Paul Gadsby. “I never thought he was a Group 1 horse but he’s now down to a more competitive rating,” he commented after his last win.

Gunner has since won again.

Most horses in this country, especially those at the top of the tree, seldom race past six years old. In a personal observation, sprinters are either burned out or no longer competitive off high merit ratings while stayers are poorly catered for and a commercial liability for hard-pressed breeders who need early returns on commercially bred, precocious stock to stay in business.

By Andrew Harrison

Yutaka Take on Saturday became the first rider to reach 4,000 winners on the JRA circuit, further enhancing his position as Japan’s greatest-ever jockey.

Take, 49, brought up the record with a treble at Hanshin, where huge crowds packed in to watch him achieve the feat on Meisho Kazuhime in a 6f allowance race on turf.

Yutaka Take (Racing Post)

The benchmark was set by Take on his 21,235th ride, and the jockey said: “I am relieved I could achieve this record. I was able to do so because I have met many good people, and ridden many good horses, for many years. The owner of this horse (Yoshio Matsumoto) has supported us since my father’s time, so I am very happy.

“This is not the end. I would like to ride more and to grow more as a jockey. As for my next target? I want to win the next race!”

Take, who last year received the Longines & IFHA International Award of Merit, has succeeded at the top level all over the world, winning races such as the July Cup (Agnes World), Prix de l’Abbaye (Agnes World, Imperial Beauty), Hong Kong Cup (A Shin Hikari) and Dubai Duty Free (Admire Moon).

However, it is in his homeland where he has been the dominant force and been associated with champions such as Deep Impact, Vodka and Kitasan Black.

One of the greatest horses to have raced in Japan, Deep Impact was a dominant force in the country in the first decade of the 2000s. He became the first horse for 21 years to win Japan’s Triple Crown and claimed Grade 1 races from ten furlongs to two miles, but failed in his bid to become the country’s first Arc winner when only third to Rail Link in 2006 (subsequently disqualified for a banned substance).

Blessed with an outstanding turn of foot, Vodka achieved a raft of notable feats during her career, including winning the Japanese Derby (Tokyo Yushun) and Japan Cup (first filly for 20 years to do so). Take was not aboard on those occasions but he did ride the filly to Grade 1 success, including in the prestigious Tenno Sho (Autumn) in 2008.

The trailblazing sprinter landed two of Europe’s biggest sprints to supplement his victories at home, both times partnered by Japan’s most famous rider. The Abbaye came first in 1999, when he scored on his first attempt at five furlongs. He returned to Europe the following year to claim the July Cup by two short heads from Lincoln Dancer and Pipalong in a super finish.

– racingpost.com

In a refreshing change to the race meeting schedule, Port Elizabeth hosts the Tuesday meeting this week. One thing that stays the same, however, is the ever-fierce competition on the Fairview Polytrack.

That means nice pay-outs are possible and close study of the card can unearth a shrewdy or two.

On the face of it, though, two trainers are likely to dominate proceedings tomorrow – Justin Snaith and Yvette Bremner. Both field several runners with bright chances and both should come away with more than a single winner.

Snaith’s strength lies in the earlier races, with the distinct possibility of a back-to-back treble in races two, three and four.

Justin Snaith

Without Limits represents the national champion trainer in the second race, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1300m. This Querari three-year-old showed middling form in Cape Town following her debut in January, but then moved up the coast for her last run and showed an aptitude for the polytrack with a fast-finishing third, just 0.55 lengths off the winner.

Without Limits goes an extra 300m this time and with a two gate and experienced Robert Khathi in the saddle she looks a good bet against moderate opposition.

Snaith sends out Rio Rhythm in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. This three-year-old son of Oratorio has been learning about racing, improving in each of his four outings. He stands out in a weak field, with Gavin Smith-trained Mocha To Go and Bremner’s unraced filly In Harmony the only possible threats.

Lightly weighted Fake News can complete Cape Town-based Snaith’s personal triple in the day’s top-rated event, a MR 78 Handicap. This gelding registered his sole victory nearly a year ago, but his form indicates a genuine trier and he looks ready to convert consistency into another win. Having a good draw and Muzi Yeni on top clinch the argument in his favour.

The Bremner yard could kick off the day in first with Rebel Wilson, a filly who has her peak run after two runner-up efforts. Stablemate Coal looks the main threat and combining these two in a swinger, and as bankers in trifectas and quartets, could help punters build a kitty for the afternoon.

Bremner should also have a big say in the last four races on the card.

Her gelding Seattle Spell will put in his usual honest run in the fifth, a MR 64 Handicap, but might find Rokatenda from the Smith yard and Sharon Kotzen’s The Goon Show a bit too quick for him.

Kingston Warren might prove to be good value for Bremner in the sixth race, but her best on the day would appear to be Mary O’Reilly in Race 7, a FM 72 Handicap over 1300m.

This one won most impressively on debut on the Fairview turf in July – under the weight of a ton of money that indicated a special talent. That 5.25-length doddle underlined the potential and this R450,000 National Yearling Sale purchase should have the beating of the opposition here – particularly with champion jockey Lyle Hewitson in the irons and keen to get some momentum into his title defence.

If Mary O’Reilly doesn’t take to the polytrack, or finds the trip too far, or needs the run after a short break, or bumps another of the myriad gremlins that lurk in racing, one of local champion trainer Allan Greeff’s trio – Damaraland, Love Dove and Hashtagselfie – could take advantage, as could Light As A Feather from Sharon Kotzen’s barn.

– TAB news

Ashley Fortune has had a somewhat fairy tale start to her training career, and has a fighting chance of a second feature race win when Rings And Things and Tsitsikamma Dance line up in the Grand Heritage at the Vaal on 13 October.

The 28 horse adventure was originally supposed to take place this past Saturday, but has been postponed due to complications with the Vaal track.

The wife of legendary jockey Andrew Fortune had paid her dues as assistant trainer to highly successful Noelene Peech in Zimbabwe, before performing the same function with Joey Ramsden for 18 months after moving to this country in 2008.

Famously Ashley’s first winner was at Grade 3 Level, when Let It Rain took the Gold Bowl under stepson Aldo Domeyer in May. The stable’s winning strike rate since opening for business has constantly remained above the 20% mark, which is quite remarkable.

“It’s gone very well so far – way better than I expected to be honest. But we’ve got some good stock, and I think we’ve placed them well in races they can win,” she said.

Rings And Things (JC Photographics)

The stable has really done well with former Cape-based horses bought from Central Route Trading dispersal sales, with Rings And Things and Mount Keith being prime examples.

As Ashley says, “Cape Town form is the strongest, and we thought if we bought horses from there that were going close they could win a couple of races quickly up here. Thankfully we turned out to be right”.

With regard to the two stable hopes in the Grand Heritage, she had the following to say:

“Rings And Things is well and happy, and has done everything right so far. She is back to her best form, and bounces off her races. I was surprised the handicappers dropped her four points for finishing 0.5-lengths off Rose In Bloom last time, but I’m not complaining!”

Indeed the MR drop ruined the plan for Domeyer to ride, as he doesn’t get her amended weight of 54kg.

“Tsitsikamma Dance had an excellent prep run and we learnt a few things about him. He’s a big striding horse with a huge action, and the expected hot pace in this event will be right up his alley”.

As could be expected with the start she has had, she is enthusiastic about the training game.

“I love it. Every day I am learning something new, and while you have to take the ups with the downs, this is something I have always wanted, and long may it continue”.

Of course Andrew Fortune also has a large part to play, and Ashley is happy to give her husband credit with an excellent mixed metaphor.

“Andrew is the ringmaster, and conducts the orchestra. He’s been riding for as long as I’ve been alive, knows a lot about form and is excellent at placing the horses. We make a good team”.

With regard to the coming Gauteng Summer season, she has hopes for Cash Time after he was beaten under two lengths in the SA Derby in May.

“He will run in the Summer Cup, assuming everything goes to plan. We also have hopes for our two recent easy maiden winners Big Blue Marble and Dalai’s Promise. They are both eligible for the $500,000 races on Sun Met Day, and will be aimed in that direction”.

When pressed on her ambitions for the 2017/18 campaign she is cautious.

“We will take it as it comes, as we are still taking baby steps. But ideally I would like to reach the 50 winner mark for the season”.

With seven chalked up so far, this soft spoken but hugely determined lady is right on schedule.

– TAB news

Anton Marcus has been snapped up for two of Vaughan Marshall’s stable stars at Durbanville on Saturday – Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth in the Matchem and the unbeaten Langerman winner One World in the 1 400m Progress Plate.

The four-time champion will also renew his partnership with Goodtime Gal in the Diana Stakes. He won last year’s race on the Mike Robinson-trained mare and finished second on her in a 1 200m conditions plate at Kenilworth a month ago.

Joey Ramsden, who has won the Matchem with high class horses like Variety Club and Act Of War, has supplemented Premiers Champion third Twist Of Fate for the Grade 3 test. The three-time winner gets in with only 50kg.

Aldo ‘Usain’ Domeyer looks like running in the Jockeys Chase after all as the organisers are flying in two speedy opponents from Johannesburg. Kenilworth Racing’s promotions man Clinton Theys expects to know their identities tomorrow.

Domeyer, fresh from his Singapore triumph, said: “I was thinking of sponsoring myself (instead of running) so that the charity does not lose out but, if they are going to fly in two guys from Jo’burg, I will have to run.”

The Cape champion was a runaway winner of the jockeys chase for four years on the trot before last year’s fiasco when it was decided to turn the race into a relay, pairing Domeyer with Corne Orffer (by his own admission one of the slowest in the field). But Grant van Niekerk sabotaged the whole thing by deliberately placing his baton into the unsuspecting Domeyer’s hand. This time the event reverts to a straight race over 100m.

By Michael Clower