A winning strike rate that counts a winner out of every three rides is testimony to the prowess of Anton Marcus – in the saddle as well as his assessment of form. As a trainer commented recently, “when Anton calls for a ride, you know you must have done something right!”

At this stage of the season Marcus is the current national log leader on 115, four winners clear of Muzi Yeni, and has another book of plum rides at Scottsville on Sunday.

Champion Lyle Hewitson’s defence of his title was dead in the water before it even started as a knee injury saw him start the season on the side-lines. He is currently 92 winners behind Marcus but the two are likely to go head-to-head in a couple of races on Sunday. The first of them is in the card opener where they both have mounts for Garth Puller, Hewitson on Krishnies Jet and Marcus on Hondo.

The two met last time out with the younger Krishnies Jet nearly a length clear of his stable companion, second and third respectively behind Rocket Fire. Both horses will sport blinkers for the first time but Hondo was ridden by a 4kg claimer last time out and even Marcus may not be able to swing the result.

Not so in the second where Marcus’s mount Home Ruler is likely to start a short-priced favourite. Dennis Drier is back from his summer sojourn to the Cape and Home Ruler has caught the eye in both of his starts to date. He was staying on nicely behind Extravargant over course and distance and barring surprises she looks a fair bet.

Hewitson and Marcus could possibly fight out the opening leg of the Pick 6, Hewitson on Lowan Denysschen’s runner, Thru’ The Trees and Marcus riding Amex for Nathan Kotzen.

 Thru’ The Trees is tested over the trip and Hewitson will know what he has under him as he partnered the filly in her last race. The same goes for Amex, but she steps up to a mile for the first time on Sunday, no doubt on the advice of Marcus who will again be in the irons.

The fourth is more difficult. Father’s Frost is a late starter, having only had two outings as a four-year-old but was staying on well behind Last Of A Legend  last time out and he has a plum draw to boot.

Galway has run two improved races of late, both on the poly, and tries blinkers for the first time. Black Warrior, a half brother to the useful Fiorella, is something of a difficult customer but will enjoy this trip on debut from a good draw.

Marcus trekked to Ashburton earlier in the week to put Tribal Fusion through his pace for long-time supporter Shane Humby and the gelding is likely favourite for the Racing. It’s a Rush Pinnacle Stakes. The top weight has had two outings since his break for African Horse Sickness vaccinations and should strip at his peak. He will be up against Amor Ardiente who is a consistent galloper for Belinda Impey who rarely misses a cheque.

Smart filly Arianos Shadow has her first outing for Frank Robinson and must have a chance off her light weight while Flamboyant Stakes winner Camphoratus took a 10-point hit in the handicap for that win which may have scuppered her chances here.

The Sea Urchin form has worked out quite nicely which should see Curva in with a strong chance in a competitive handicap in the sixth.

Paul Peter raids and Hewitson teams up with his colt Sacred Castle in the seventh. A facile end-to-end winner on debut he looks a fair proposition but Farland and Exclusive Quantity will be there to pick up the pieces should Sacred Castle not run up to expectations.

Peter will have his supporters in the last where he saddles Mighty Rock, but Toronto, up for sae at the end of the month and the Marcus-ridden Jack Of Hearts may prove his match.

By Andrew Harrison

Andre Nel could be the trainer to follow at Kenilworth on Saturday if the early World Sports Betting prices are any guide. He has only four runners and three of them are favourites – Procrastination, Twice To Sydney and Window To Africa who shares top spot at 28-10 with the Brett Crawford-trained Run Fox Run in the last. All three Nel horses are ridden by Aldo Domeyer.

Domeyer, second only to Richard Fourie in winners at Kenilworth this season, also partners  3-1 favourite Cousin Liz in the opening two-year-old race for Candice Bass-Robinson who has won the most Cape Town juvenile races so far this term. She has won three out of eight and none of her rivals has won more than one.

Anton Marcus rides two favourites and two-joint favourites – two for Crawford, one for Mrs Bass-Robinson and Mythical Bolt who is on a loss-recovery mission for Sean Tarry in race seven.

It was Hassen Adams who initially set about securing maximum returns from Kenilworth’s extensive and valuable property and now Kenilworth Racing has appointed a property sub-committee to further explore all avenues, investigate the best use of the assets and create annuity income.

Robert Bloomberg (chairman) has been joined on the committee by Vidrik Thurling, Jonathan Snaith, Greg Bortz, Gaynor Rupert and Phumelela CEO John Stuart.

By Michael Clower

Gauteng Guineas winner National Park will stay in Johannesburg until the second leg of the SA Triple Crown, the Grade 1 R2 million SA Classic over 1800m to be run on March 2.

He is set for an almighty clash with Soqrat, who is also a Triple Crown contender having won the other joint first leg, the Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

Soqrat is by the sprinter to seven furlong horse Epaulette and has a lot of speed in his female line too. However, he has an ideal racing temperament and switches on and off at the jockey’s command so will have a chance of getting the trip.

National Park is by Gimmethegreenlight, who was best at a mile, but did finish third in the Met. His dam won from 1400-1600m. However, he also has a good racing temperament and should stay 1800m. He will not be staying for the third leg, the SA Derby over 2450m even if he wins the SA Classic., 

The last time National Park stayed on the Highveld he appeared to run a flat race in the Dingaans. This corresponded with a theory that coastal horses staying at high altitude hit a flat spot for about a week at roundabout the 19 day mark. However, trainer Yvette Bremner believes that disappointing run had more to do with him being forced to go to the front as he was in danger of being caught wide. She believes under the circumstances he did well to finish fourth. So, she is not concerned about him having to spend four weeks on the Highveld until the SA Classic. Top jockey Richard Fourie will keep the ride.

The handicappers assessed Soqrat to have run to a 118 merit rating in the Cape Guineas and gave National Park a 117 for his run on Saturday. However, Soqrat was later raised to 124 after his narrow loss in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

CTS 1600 winner One World, whose only loss to date was in the Cape Guineas, is merit rated 117. Politician Stakes winner and Cape Guineas and CTS 1600 runner up Twisted Fate is rated 115. However, neither of that pair are likely to travel to the Highveld for the SA Classic.

Dingaans winner Hawwaam is merit rated 112 but cannot be written off. He over raced for the second time in succession in the Guineas on Saturday and this blunted the devastating finish he is capable of and which was seen at its best in the Dingaans. Hawwaam does not have the immaculate temperament of his stablemate Soqrat, but he does probably have more latent ability. If he gets a good draw and settles well in the SA Classic he will be a huge threat. 

The SA Triple Tiara is unlikely to be landed this season. Saturday’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas-winner Nafaayes is by speed influence Exceed And Excel out of a Grade 3-winning Dehere mare who was a seven-furlong to miler type, so 1800m might stretch her. Mike de Kock said, “The 1800m of the Fillies Classic will be okay for her, probably just within her reach, but beyond that we’d be stretching it.” However, the yard might be tempted to run her in the SA Oaks over 2450m if she does win the SA Fillies Classic as there will be a R1 million bonus at stake.

The winner of the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, Front And Centre, is resting after a tough campaign and will next be seen in the KZN Champions Season.

The strength of the fillies crop clearly resides in Cape Town this season.

Front And Centre beat Clouds Unfold in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas but trainer Candice Bass-Robinson was of the opinion the latter had a better preparation going into the Grade 1 Bidvest Majorca Stakes and she duly gained her revenge, but only by 1,7 lengths. The meat in the sandwich was the four-year-old Grade 1 bridesmaid Lady In Black and further back was the defending champion and twice Grade 1-winning miler Snowdance, so there was no doubting the merit of the performance.

However, the form of the Johannesburg crop has not been altogether consistent, which points to questionable strength.

Nafaayes stayed on resolutely from a handy position to pip Running Brave in Saturday’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas with Celtic Sea third and Ronnie’s Candy fourth. Nafaayes did convert favouritism as was coming off a victory in the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes over the course and distance against useful older horses. The form of the latter race makes her look as strong as her Cape Town counterparts.

However, it falls apart when looking at other formlines from the Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Running Brave and Celtic Sea were earlier beaten 3,55 lengths and 2,75 lengths into seventh and sixth respectively in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile on G-Bets Summer Cup day. That race was won by Ghaalla and the form always looked suspect as Ronnie’s Candy had no luck in the running, yet still managed a close up third, and the runner up I Like It was an exposed 88 merit rated filly. Ghaalla was duly beaten 5,35 lengths into eighth place in the Cape Fillies Guineas.

Furthermore, Ronnie’s Candy gave Nafaayes 2kg and a 2,2 length beating in the Starling Stakes on November 3 last year.

Ronnie’s Candy was in fact a touch unlucky on Saturday. She settled well and looked set to use her tremendous turn of foot, but never had daylight in front of her and thus never had a chance to truly let herself down. An inquiry has also been held into the jockey’s riding of her in the closing stages as he appeared to ease her down before the line which likely cost her third place.

The handicappers have accorded Clouds Unfold a 115 merit rating, Front And Centre a 112 and Nafaayes on 109. The best sprinting three-year-old filly, the Johannesburg-based Mighty High, is also rated 109.

By David Thiselton

Summerveld-based Mark Dixon was pulling out his diminishing thatch as he battled through a virus that resulted in elevated liver enzymes, but his patience has paid off in recent weeks as the stable has come well. Dixon saddled a double at Scottsville yesterday, one expected, the other not so.

Expected was News Stream in the second. Not the easiest to handle, giving his rider a difficult time on debut, but there were no such issues yesterday as Keagan de Melo got her home ahead of the well fancied Cosmic Cutter with the balance of the field out with the washing.

The two shook off all opposition with a furlong to run, but News Stream, bred and owned by SA Jockey Academy Chairman Avison Carlisle and his wife Mary at their Kinmount Stud in the KZN Midlands, finished just the stronger to get home by a neck.

The two Dixon-trained fillies Diamante and She’s A Dream fought out the finish of the fourth, Diamante paying R52 a win on the tote with the exacta paying a healthy R450. Both fillies had been in the doldrums recently, especially She’s A Dream who looked to be going places early in her career.

“She just lost her way,” said Dixon on She’s A Dream who is on the Shongeweni Mixed Sale at the end of the month. On this showing she may not be up for auction any longer.

The meeting kicked off with a smart showing by the Paul Lafferty-trained Aussie import Share Holder. After a promising barrier trial, he was well supported in the market and duly arrived. “He’s a very nice horse,” said Lafferty. Lafferty had some difficulty putting together owners for the colt as the many bloodstock agents said “he didn’t walk too well.”

Well if he doesn’t walk to well, he certainly gallops well as he showed yesterday.

Maa Nonu, named after the classy All Black midfielder, lived up to his name as he came with a telling run for Lezeanne Forbes. Mark Khan time his run to perfection as he out-duelled the blinkered Mana Santana.

The outside of the Scottsville straight track is often labelled a ‘minefield’. However, so few runners take that route that it’s a perception that will linger until jockeys and trainers decide that it’s not necessary a ‘roadblock’.

Apprentice Jason Gates ignored all, sticking to the outside rail on the Brett Crawford-trained Hashtagthemost, to cause another boil-over in the exotics. Spring Breeze was the ‘money’ horse but after looking dangerous a furlong out, she kept on one-paced for third as rank outsider Sheik’s Storm ran her out of second.

Louis Goosen held a strong hand in the Pinnacle Stakes and a trainer in form coupled with a jockey in form, made no mistakes. Anton Marcus kept the favourite just off the pace as stable companion Effortless Reward set a good pace, before pouncing when it mattered. Vision To Kill, who did not enjoy the best of the Cape Summer, found some of her best form to pressure Captain’s Gal, but it was a little too late.

The two teamed up again in the seventh with Marcus having to work a lot harder on the favourite. Asked about the early pedestrian pace Goosen replied, “when you have got Anton on you don’t have to worry.”

Siberian Husky, after a local warm-up on the poly, ran out a convincing winner of the last to give Brett Crawford a double, running on strongly to beat the Lafferty pair of White Lightning and top weight Our Coys with pacemaker Jet Stream staying on for the shallow end of the purse.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and it is competitive so the exotics look to be the best way to play it. 

In the first leg of the PA over 1200m Epic Dream has a touch of class and has speed too so is going to be hard to beat in an otherwise uninspiring field. Jackpot Jewel made a good debut and should improve but he was just over a length behind Summer House over 1160m and the latter wears a tongue tie for the first time so could confirm the form.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is an interesting Assessment Plate over 1200m. Dancing Queen and Ouro are the best in at the weights but the one who will definitely stay all the way to the line is Lady Lexington. She has a tough task at the weights according to official merit ratings but has a nice big action and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement so could cause an upset. Dancing Queen started with an inside draw last time and ended on the outside when only managing fourth despite starting at odds of 8/11. She tries 1200m for the first time and on pedigree will get the trip.

Heaven’s Reward won her first two starts over this trip and can bounce back to her best in her third run after a layoff as she was a close up fourth last time over 1400m to three horses who went on to compete in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, including the useful Ronnie’s Candy. Ouro was a touch unlucky last time when just 2,35 lengths behind Running Brave over 1100m and the latter went on to finish a close second in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas over her preferred mile trip. She is impossible to ignore and must be included in the Pick 6. Rock A Roll Dancer is also a promising sort and is the dark horse in the race over a suitable trip, although it is her second run after a layoff.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Generous Notion struck as one with ability from day one and should be coming into her own now. Last time she had a tough high draw on the Turffontein Inside track and ran on late for a close up third to a former Cape Town horse with some fair form. This race is now down the straight and she is off the same mark, although any draw bias mist be monitored on the day as she has a high draw. Sporting Monarch was another one who made an impression from day one as he has speed and the ability to stay on. He won when dropped as low as a 67 merit rating but off his current 72 he is still well handicapped on his best form and should be involved, although he has a low draw so hopefully that side does not have a disadvantage on the day. Torio Lake is by Oratorio out of the useful Grade 3-winning sprinter Purple Lake so he is interesting dropped down to this trip. He stays 1400m and should be finishing fast. However, it is a competitive event and punters should go as wide as possible.

In the sixth race over 1100m Purple Diamond won the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m as a two-year-old but became disappointing. His merit rating has dropped into the low 80s and in his last three runs he has been competitive in sprints from 1000-1200m. He finished well over 1000m last time so should enjoy the extra 100m and looks to be the one to beat. He is only 1kg better off with Great Shaka for a 1,4 length beating over 1000m although the latter would have preferred this to have been over 1000m again. Copper Jay is ultra consistent and should enjoy this trip. Danza was thought to be best at 1400m until his last start when winning easily over 1200m. However, he does have a six point merit rated raise to contend with which will not be easy at the age of six. Donny G is half-a-kilogram better off with Great Shaka for a 0,4 length beating so also has to be included in a competitive race.

The seventh is an Assessment Plate over 1000m and the two stand outs are Dewali and Summer Afternoon. The former won his maiden over this trip by four lengths and followed up with a good effort behind a promising sort. On the downside he has not run since September. Summer Afternoon is joint best in at the weights with Dewali and this Trippi filly won well on debut before not being disgraced behind Running Brave last time. Those two should it fight out and Topmast is the one who could pick up the pieces if they fluff their lines.

The next race over 1600m could be won by Believe Me, who in the typical style of a Silvano filly is coming into her own as a four-year-old. She should enjoy this step up to mile and can continue to progress. Abelie went close first time out the maidens over 1700m and will also be involved. Samarra has been competitive since her merit rating has dropped into the 60s and the front-running tactics worked well last time over 1400m. She stays this trip and should be thereabouts despite being given a four point raise. 

The last leg is a Maiden and it should be fought out by Fire And Rescue and Humour Me, who have both shown promise and are distance suited. Maroon Bells has plenty of scope and if there is to be an upset he is the most likely candidate to cause it.

By David Thiselton