Anton Marcus, only seven behind log leader Greg Cheyne on the current national list, has almost carte blanche when it comes to picking rides – and that mostly the plums. He has a current winning strike rate of 27% or every fourth ride a winner and after a treble on Wednesday he should add to his tally at Greyville this evening where he again has a competitive card.
With stable rider Sean Veale doing duty for the yard in Cape Town for the summer, Dennis Drier has again booked Marcus for stable hope Well In Flight for the Pendulum Insurance Brokers River Indigo Handicap that heads up the card – all races on the poly track.
After a string of narrow defeats on the Scottsville turf, Well In Flight was switched to the poly for her last start and with immediate success, scooting home by over two lengths. The opposition this evening is stronger but Well In Flight is smart and from a good draw should be right there.
Sean Tarry holds a strong hand and stable rider S’Manga Khumalo has made the trip down from the Highveld for the evening He partners Strategic News ahead of top weight In Other Words and could possibly be the stable elect. Strategic News has excellent form on the poly and was possibly just short of an outing when third in a strong field. The rise in trip will hold no fears and from a good draw with a handy galloping weight she will be a strong contender.
In Other Words has a fair weight to shoulder but is at best over course and distance. She finished a neck clear of Strategic News when the two met behind Aliysa’s Prize and is now 1kg better off in the handicap. However, the latter has some improvement to make and appeals as the better option.
Aliysa’s Prize beat a strong field on her poly debut and is much better than her last turf effort under an inexperienced apprentice. Stuart Randolph is back aboard from a good draw and she too must have a chance. Persian Rug makes her poly debut with the blinkers back on. She is a big horse and the poly could bring out the best in her.
The more one looks at the race the more difficult it gets but Well In Flight is taken to get home ahead of Strategic News and In Other Words with Alisya’s Prize a major threat.
The handicappers haven’t taken any chances with Mike Miller’s filly Call Me Winter in the last race on the card, the Nesai Tyres Handicap, banging her up the full eight points for her last win. That may not be enough!
The home-bred daughter of Western Winter had shown promise as a juvenile, winning her first two without any fuss. A Listed feature brought her winning run to an end and she was not seen out again for three months. On return she was never in the hunt in a tough handicap field but that allowed her to start at generous odds next time out, the handicappers also taken in, dropping her three pounds.
Miller has his charge her a difficult task with 64.5kg to shoulder from the worst of the draw but she could still be under the radar as far as the ratings go.
If not then the father and son pair of Just Vogue and Poster Girl could give plenty of cheek. Gavin van Zyl saddles Just Vogue who has yet to finish out of the money in eight starts, most recently winning over the Scottsville short-cut wearing blinkers. She is drawn on the opposite side of the course to Call Me Winter and the better draw and a 4,5kg pull in the weights make her a solid contender.
Son Gareth sends out Poster Girl who has her third run after a break and should strip close to her peak although she does look a bit high in the ratings.
Van Zyl senior should get Pick 6 punters off to a good start with Momo in the third. She has gone close over course and distance and did well in blinkers last outing. She rates the one to beat as the balance are seriously average.
Similarly, Savannah Cat in the next will be a popular banker. Although she has been disappointing. she looks worth another chance in a weak maiden field. Of the others, Mariuccia Blue showed some improvement at her second outing on the poly and also found some market support so could be a threat.
Andrew Harrison
