Matador Man, 12-10 to win tomorrow, has a smart record over the Greyville 1600m and can add to his resume when he runs in the Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park Pinnacles Stakes.

With a wealth of talent in his stable, Sean Tarry has had to box clever with Matador Man, ever game but not quite out of the top drawer. But he does seem to be a length or two better over the Greyville mile, most recently seeing off a competitive field in a Pinnacles Stakes over course and distance.

Even more recently he finished just over two lengths behind Charity Mile winner Coral Fever, coming from way back in the field. He has a plum draw and with Anton Marcus back in the irons he must rate the one to beat.

Matador Man (Candiese Marnewick)

There were a few skeptics about when Mark Dixon stretched his top sprinter London Call to a ‘mile’ in the KZN Breeders but he made all the running only to be nailed on the line by Romany Prince.

There are still a few doubters about and he was easy to back at 11-2 yesterday. He has since had two further outings over sprints in which he has shown his well being and if allowed to get away, Matador Man will have a hard task chasing him down.

Of the balance, Kazaar (4-1) and Red Chesnut Road (9-2), rate obvious dangers while Dark Moon Rising makes his seasonal debut after his sixth place in the eLan Gold Cup. He will need to race fresh to make an impression here.

Marcus has a strong book of rides and should at least head home with a double. The first should come in the card opener where he partners Lady Wisteria for Brett Crawford. The lightly raced Irish bred mare made a smart local debut when caught late and with only three runs under her girth in what looks to be a fairly modest field she should take some beating. She was 11-20 yesterday with 6-1 bar.

If Lady Wisteria does not oblige it should be cash back in the seventh where stable companion Cruz Giovanni looks good value at 11-10 in the ante-post market. A cracking second to the highly rated Sigismund with some other fancied runners behind him, Cruz Giovanni looks the part here.

Mark Khan has teamed up with Duncan Howells and owner Dave MacLean and that combination can come to the fore in the second. Coldhardcash found good market support on debut but you back first timers at your peril. Coldhardcash was all over the course when finishing fourth to Misys J but with that experience under his girth and an extra furlong to travel he looks the horse to beat.

However, he is relatively easy to back at 3-1 with favourite for the race, Frozen Tune, another Marcus mount, at 22-10.

Another Marcus possible is Amore Ardiente (7-2) for Belinda Impey in the Natal Stainless Steel Handicap. Never far back, Impey believes the gelding is over his best distance and with a pole position draw and Marcus up she is at least confident of a big showing. “He has come really well after his last race,” she said yesterday. “I just hope Anton can tuck him in and not go off to the front. He likes to come from off them.”

With Reactive and Savuti both possible pace-setters Impey should get her wish.

By Andrew Harrison