On paper it didn’t look easy, on the race track Elusivenchantment made it look easy. Any doubts about her ability were put to bed emphatically in the Soccer 6 Open Handicap at Scottsville yesterday.

Writing on his website Duncan Howells expressed concern over the turnover in weight with many of yesterday’s opposition and whether she would be as effective over 1000m as she was over 1200m.

His fears proved unfound. Anton Marcus had her in the vanguard from the jump and when asked to quicken Elusivenchantment changed gear and went away from her field.

“Some say that weight doesn’t count in these races but you still have to carry the pudding,” said Marcus. “Duncan asked me to ride her but I said he should rather put a four-claimer up. I’m glad I listened. She’s a very smart filly.”

“I always said she would be better as a four-year-old. I think we are only now getting to the bottom of her,” Howells said. “But it’s hard to place a filly with a high merit rating and she is pretty restricted as far as handicaps go. I think we will have to take our chances and have a crack at one or two races in Jo’burg.”

Mike Miller has been quiet for some time now but the Summerveld trainer opened up with a double including an inspired gamble on the debutant Karatage in the All To Come Maiden Plate.

Miller said beforehand, “she is a very nice filly but if the going comes up soft, then I am really not too sure how she will act. In saying that, she is showing me very encouraging work.”

With the threatened rain holding off Karatage was heavily supported from 12-1 to 22-10 second favourite and Alec Forbes made no mistakes as she came clear of favourite Savanah Cat.

The stable landed a quick double as Sonar Active (9-1), responding to blinkers and a drop in trip, got the better of Venice In May and Prince Ponti.

Marcus has been in blistering form since his return from a three week break and scored a treble that could so easily have been a four-timer. He had to work hard for his riding fee to get Monte Christo home in a tight finish to the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap and Buffalo Soldier confirmed that he’s on the up when out-gunning stable companion Top Form in the Graduation Plate to give Charles Laird a double.

Marcus looked to have time his run to perfection on favourite Shine Up but his fears that the 2400m trip of the last may just be beyond his mounts capabilities proved correct as the heavily backed Sabre Charge came back at Shine Up to snatch what looked to be an unlikely victory 50m out.

Andrew Harrison