It’s one of the most thrilling sights in racing – two top jockeys fighting it out up the straight, neck and neck all the way to the line.

Anton Marcus and Richard Fourie did just that in the 2 500m maiden at Kenilworth on Saturday. Throughout the last two furlongs they steadily drew six lengths clear of the rest as they stylishly asked their mounts for everything, and without any excessive or unnecessary use of the whip. In Auro and Long Reign responded with everything they had and it was only by a head that the latter got the verdict on the line.

Fourie said: “Anton is not an easy guy to beat but I felt I always had the measure of his mount. I know it looked on the TV as if he headed me but he didn’t.

“That said, it’s lovely to ride against champions like him because he wouldn’t be out of place anywhere in the world. I know I’ll be pleased if I can ride like him when I am his age.”

Marcus, who will be 50 in May (Fourie is 34), for once flew back to Durban empty-handed despite three of his four rides starting favourite and the other second favourite. But he was unlucky not to win the 1 400m maiden on Morse who finished fast to take equal third with only a few centimetres covering the first four. The stipes report revealed that he had had to ease his mount after a couple of furlongs to avoid him clipping the heels of fifth-placed Alfred’s Legacy. This cost him much more that the margin by which he was beaten.

First time blinkers apparently did the trick for the winner – the Glen Kotzen-trained 10-1 shot Final Appeal who was well handled by Morne Winnaar riding his 24^th winner of the season.

First time headgear is – or should be – an important tool in the punter’s armoury but, regrettably, it is not flagged as such in the racecards, newspapers or racing websites.  It is not fool proof but it often enables a horse to show improved form. In addition to Final Appeal, On Captain’s Side won the first at 47-20 for Greg Ennion and M.J. Byleveld – the first occasion on which he raced with ear muffs – and the Adam Marcus-trained 7-1 shot Winter Shadow (Anthony Andrews) took the 2 500m handicap wearing cheek pieces for the first time. In every case either the trainer or the jockey said that the headgear had made the difference.

Adam Marcus, incidentally, is expecting further improvement from the Lammerskraal homebred Hildegarde who led two furlongs out under Corne Orffer to justify 13-10 favouritism in the 1 100m handicap. “She appeared to be quite limited early on but we brought her down in trip and she hasn’t looked back since,” he explained. “We are looking for black type next.”

The talented Liam Tarental celebrated his return to the fray by getting up close home on the Paul Reeves-trained Skidoo in the Racing Association Handicap. “I broke my leg riding work last June. The doctor said I would be out for three months but for some reason it took a lot longer,” said the 21-year-old who was riding the 36^th winner of his career.

It was also a day to remember for Sandile Mbhele as he rode his first winner as a fully-fledged jockey when going to the front two furlongs from home on Fours A Crowd to complete a Kotzen double in the last.

By Michael Clower

Of all the racecourses in South Africa Hollywoodbets Scottsville has more nuances than nearly all put together. Some horses just don’t act, others are a few lengths better on the Midlands track. Two were in action yesterday – Blackball, five of his seven wins, and Ishnana, five out of six, are prime examples.

Gavin van Zyl will probably have been cursing his luck with the forced move from Hollywoodbets Scottsville to Hollywoodbets Greyville poly for the Michael Roberts Handicap, but the gelding, that races with a cornel collard to help his breathing, did well enough to finish a close-up fourth in that race.

There were no mistakes in the UmThombothi Stakes (Non-Black Type) yesterday as Raymond Danielson rounded off a profitable weekend, three winners at Turffontein on Saturday, and a double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Blackball was off the pace for much of the early exchanges but down the straight it turned into a proper cavalry charge with almost the entire field spread across the track, Blackball getting the upper hand late to out-gun The Dazzler and stable companion and last year’s winner, Marchingontogether.

“He’s and old bugger and he knows what it’s all about,” said Danielson. “Once he got his head in front, he gave me another kick and it was race-over.”

Hit The Gas, not in the race until 7.30 this morning after the scratching of Oreo Black, caught punters off guard in the second. Lowan Denysschen with other plans for the weekend, had a fellow trainer saddle for him and was also caught unaware as apprentice Jason Gates produced the formless filly with a telling late flourish to collar favourite Blue Winter and win rather comfortably.

Gates rides plenty of work at Scottsville and was quick to call for the ride on the 55-1 shot. Gates is also not short on confidence. “I know this filly and I think her two best races were for me.”

“When I saw that she was in the race this morning I phoned Mr Denysschen. I knew she could turn it on but I was a bit shocked that she did it so easily.”

Hit The Gas my have lightened a few wallets but Sir Pom converted favouritism for Michael Roberts in the first. “He still didn’t know what he was doing, he was all over the place,” said Roberts. “He’s a nice little horse and I don’t think he will stop here.”

Williams Land did some early damage to the Pick 6 as Keagan de Melo got his mount to quicken past the long-time leader Maty O and chased home hard by News Stream.

 “He’s quite a funny horse. He has ability,” according to Dean Kannemeyer’s KZN assistant Nicolet Roscoe. “Sometimes he gets left, sometimes he jumps on terms. It makes is difficult and at home he has become a little difficult. We work him with a pony and he’s a little bit sensitive about his mouth. Today he jumped on terms and Keagan left him at the back and stayed off his mouth.”

Robert Smith is one of KZN’s stalwarts. A breeder, owner and trainer early in his career, he has handed over the training to Garth Puller who managed a sixth win for the Smith-bred Ishnana who Smith races in partnership with Howick antiques furniture restorer Thabo Mhlongo. Settled in off the pace per instruction by apprentice Jabu Jacobs, Ishnana, who had recorded four of his previous five wins over course and distance, finished with a rattle for his sixth success.

By Andrew Harrison

Morse, only a bit player in his nine episodes so far, can star in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Eric Sands gelding has finished third in four of his last five starts,  all over 1 800m or a mile, and has been showing better form than he did over this 1 400m trip previously – and this is the big doubt.

If he does prove as effective, though, he is a good price at 3-1 because he is rated only a point behind The Second Wave and a minimum of seven in front of any of the other runners. But the biggest thing in his favour is that he is ridden by Anton Marcus for the first time. A smart start should see him flying out of his nine pen and making the best of his way home.

The Second Wave has drifted slightly from 5-2 to 3-1 and recent form suggests that this could well be his trip. Over 1 800m last time, when he finished only a neck in front of Morse, he was hanging for much of the race.

Red Rock Canyon (33-10) also comes into the reckoning as he was only beaten a head over this trip on his most recent start, despite over-racing early, and had Morse’s 5-1 stable companion Mr Fergie a short head behind.

Many punters will be considering an accumulator on Marcus’s four rides after he won on all three here last Saturday and the supremo should start proceedings on the right note with Hello Tomorrow in the first. Sands has his horses in good form and this Ridgemont runner has losses to recoup after being beaten at 7-10 in a modest-looking maiden last time. She led until inside the last 100m and she should be able to hold off On Captain’s Side even though M.J. Byleveld’s mount is rated 1.5kg better.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained In Auro is not a Ridgemont horse but Marcus rode him when he started favourite in his last two starts. He was around even money yesterday but there has been support for Long Reign who finished three-quarters of a length in front of him over this 2 500m in December and may confirm the placings.

However Marcus can take the last on the Glen Kotzen-trained My Wicked Ways. She heads the market at 7-2 but punters should note that this is an extremely open-looking race. Also, don’t ignore 10-1 shot Croisette. She made a big impression when winning on debut and is almost certainly better than her two subsequent runs would suggest.

By Michael Clower

The nine race meeting at Turffontein Inside tomorrow has some good horses turning out ahead of their Autumn feature season campaigns.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m the front-running Chijmes should have a fine chance as he stays on well and this track with its shorter straight should suit him. The main concern is that there is another front-runner involved, Seville Orange. However, she is drawn outside of him so if he does get to the front and she challenges he can allow her to lead and, as she prefers further, he can overtake her in the straight. The main danger to Chijmes could be the filly Sunshine Silk who is the best weighted runner. In a handicap she would receive 7kg from Chijmes but is receiving 9,5kg here and carrying just 50,5kg.

Furthermore, she is drawn in pole and is one from one over this course and distance. AL Mutawakel has proven class and should enjoy this trip, although he would prefer 2000m and would also prefer the longer-straighted Standside track. However, he is being tried with blinkers which should help him get into the race earlier, although his draw of eight out of eight is thus going to be tricky.

Divine Odyssey looks to need a few runs to reach his peak and he should be cherry ripe now. He should be running on strongly over an ideal distance, but he has a sustained finish and would probably prefer the Standside track. Seville Orange and Tilbury Fort have the class to earn here too. American Indian is well drawn and capable of surprising. Ali Bon Dubai would prefer further.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 In The Dance has a turn of foot equal to that of her half-brother Capetown Noir and should be ideally suited to this tight mile. She is drawn in pole position. Return Flight is back in form and will be a big threat from the front. The up and coming Machali represents in form Candice Dawson. She is capable of a strong finish and being by Dynasty will be improving. 

In the third leg of the Pick 6 over 1450m Tierra Del Fuego is admirably consistent and this distance is ideal. Furthermore, he has a plum draw of three. His stablemate Warrior’s Rest is equally admirable. He is very effective when getting to the front as he continually ups the tempo and runs all the way to the line. The concern is whether he will be able to get to the front from a wide draw of nine. Zouaves can’t be ignored either dropping back to his favourite course and distance, where he has a record of three wins in four starts. He packs a strong finish on his day and has a fair draw of six. The enigmatic Matador Man is the best weighted male but has his second run after a long layoff and will have his work cut out to make up ground over this tight track after his usual slow start. La Bella Mia is the best weighted horse and is interesting upped in trip as she finished fast last time over her favourite 1200m trip.

In the next leg of the Pick 6 Ocean City is very quick and capable of staying to the line over 1000m, so will be suited to this track and trip from a low draw. Prince Of Venice has always struck as one with plenty of ability and he can be a threat from draw five. Scoop has lots of ability and proved last time she is now off a competitive mark. 

In the next leg Our Man In Havana is progressive over these middle distances and can beat the handicapper again. Rocky Path looks the chief danger on form. Tough Choice could run well fresh and Kings Cup and Master Supreme can be considered too.  

In the last leg over 2000m Ever Fair is improving and distance suited and Fayrooz should relish the step up in trip after not being disgraced over a sprint on debut. Cotopaxi runs on over shorter so can be considered. Adorable Alley, and Smoking Hot also warrant consideration.

By David Thiselton

Stuart Pettigrew is not an unfamiliar face in KZN, or more accurately that of his assistants, but when he sends a raider it is mostly prudent to sit up and take notice. Seattle Force arrives at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday with exemplary Highveld form and should make a bold bid in the UmThombothi Stakes (Non-Black Type).

But the four-year-old will not have all his own way given the structure of the weights and the likes of Marchingontogether, the highest rated runner in the race, is set to get 4 kg from Seattle Force.

That said, one has consistent form, for the other, one has to look into a crystal ball.

A strong front-runner, Seattle Force has hardly been out of the money in recent outings and has been competing useful Highveld company. He was a beaten favourite behind Hero’s Honour on the Turffontein inside track last time out when weakening late but was only three lengths back. Prior to that he was caught late by the former KZN-based filly Flichity By Farr.

Going along with good recent form could be the way to go but Marchingontogether looks tossed in at these weights in spite of his rather dismal recent showings.

He made no show in the November Handicap and Summer Cup but did show a return to something like his better form when two-lengths off The Dazzler in the Christmas Handicap. That was followed by another disappointing effort when drawn wide in the Michael Roberts Handicap that was switched from Hollywoodbets Scottsville to the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly.

He was given a three-point relief in the ratings after that showing and the fact that Warren Kennedy has opted for this ride ahead of Michael Roberts fourth-placed Blackball suggests that Marchingontogether could prove the pick of the Gavin van Zyl pair.

Blackball, drawn widest of the 13 runners here, was only a length back to GG’S Dynasty in the Michael Roberts and a little over a length back to The Dazzler in the Christmas Handicap, both times finishing ahead of Marchingtontogether with Kennedy in the irons. Raymond Danielson gets the call-up on Sunday.

Stuart Ferrie has been holding the fort while Dennis Drier has been trying to pluck a few plums in Cape Town and Ferrie saddles Wealthy who has an excellent record at Scottsville where he has recorded five of his six wins. He was beaten four lengths in the Michael Roberts but prior to that went down narrowly to the much improved Merlin From Berlin in a Chapter Challenge final. He does appear to be a couple of lengths better at Scottsville and victory will not come as a surprise.

The Dazzler and Silver Rose will have supporters while Dark Moon Rising may need another outing to find form. White Lightning is always knocking at the door which could pen soon while Twice Golden and Great Warrior are in the deep end but do have scope and light weights.

Van Zyl can get Pick 6 punters off to a good start when he saddles Wave in the opening leg. It is a Graduation Plate where all the stats point in his favour but he is up against opposition that boasts some useful form.

Touched off by the poly specialist Di Mazzio last time out, this extended trip back on the turf should be a benefit.

Promising Pearl Of Asia, winner of his first two starts, ran out of gas last time out but races with a tongue-tie for the first time and could still have more improvement to come.

By Andrew Harrison