Anton Marcus and Bernard Fayd’Herbe look set to benefit from Anthony Delpech’s unfortunate fall at Turffontein on Saturday as they have pick up some plum rides on the Greyville poly today.

Marcus replaces Delpech on Dot Coza for Garth Puller in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and the gelding caught the eye with a strong late run behind Sand Path last time out. It appears that the penny has finally dropped and he may be the horse to beat although it may be worth backing up with the disappointing but sometimes threatening Taranaki and Lord Padmore, who although beaten by Dot Coza last time out, now sports blinkers. Of Taranaki, Dennis Drier’s assistant Stuart Ferrie said, “in this field he must have a good chance.”

Next up Marcus partners Barinois for Duncan Howells. The filly should appreciate the step up in trip after being out-paced late over 1400m. Howells said, “she is working well, is nicely drawn and has an each way chance.”

The danger looks to be Riverboat Queen who came from a long way back to win her last start over course and distance. She does not have the best of draws but blinkers appear to have sharpened her up and she is a must inclusion in all bets.

Runners from the Drier yard appear to have found form of late so Colour Your Dreams comes into the picture after a promising sprint-up last start and was deemed good enough to be taken to the Cape for the summer. “She put in a nice comeback run and we are expecting a good effort,” said Ferrie.

Fayd’Herbe replaces Delpech on the lightly raced Silva’s Bullet in the fifth for Dean Kannemeyer. The gelding made a winning debut and followed up with third in the Bloodstock SA Million where he was running around in the finish. He was then gelded and given a seven-month break before a recent barrier trial where he was asked to do little more than stretch.

He will enjoy the step up to a mile and is possibly the one to beat.

The dangers are many but Savuti is a strong front runner and was only run out of it late last time out and should be the horse to follow. Iron Wolf is a winner over course and distance but has drawn widest of all while Sean Veale has ducked the ride on stable runner Tom Collins to partner Plymouth Rock for Doug Campbell which could prove significant.

Marcus replaces Delpech on Silvan Saint for Sean Tarry in the sixth and can turn the tables on Obvious Child although only 0.5kg better off at the weights. Forceful Rush has been knocking at the door for some time now and was running on nicely over course and distance last time out in spite of being reported lame after the race.

Marcus has also picked up the plum ride on Sugar Girl for Kannemeyer in the seventh. The lightly raced daughter of Trippi was a winner on debut and followed up with a handy second. She may just need this outing but does appear to have a touch of class.

Louis Goosen’s runner Shwanky will make them all gallop as she has some useful form over course and distance and was only caught late by Miss Varlicious early last month. From a good draw she could have them all off the bit in the first furlong.

Shwanky’s presence in the field is possibly bad news for apprentice Luke Ferraris who is looking for the first win of his career. He gets a chance on the Howells-trained Accidental Tourist who boasts some good poly form but is often a tardy starter. “She keeps missing the break but if not too far out of her ground could finish in the first three,” said Howells.

Barrier Trials can prove deceiving but they do give punters a glimpse of horses that they would otherwise not see until a race proper so one takes a chance. Internet Kid has run into the money in both outings since making a smart barrier trial and is likely to start at short odds for the card opener. However, Pavarotti Passion impressed in his trial. Mark Dixon’s charge has had his problems at the gate so one needs to be doubly cautious but he made a good impression in his trial and could make a winning debut.

By Andrew Harrison