Anton Marcus’s famed brilliance at the pens will face one of its biggest tests at Kenilworth tomorrow when the four-time champion has to overcome nightmare draws on fancied horses in all three big races.

He and Joey Ramsden are bidding for their third Lanzerac Green Point in five seasons and the race-fit Act Of War is expected to head the market.  Favourites have won four of the last five runnings and this one should be hard to beat despite his outside draw and some talented opposition.

Futura was only third when he reappeared for Brett Crawford 12 months ago and the Horse of the Year’s present trainer is seemingly not expecting much more. “He is a good horse and he will run well but it is his first run of the season and so he would have to need it,” says Justin Snaith. “In addition the short run-in is not ideal for him.”

Crawford, on the other hand, is more bullish about the Horse Chestnut winner Captain America. “He is close to being 100% ready,” reports the Philippi trainer. “He was pretty well for his first run and I think he has come on since.”

Durban July second Punta Arenas receives 2kg from the big three but, like Futura, he has been off for 16 weeks. “I am expecting a nice run but a mile is a bit sharp for him,” cautions Dennis Drier.

The Conglomerate only receives a kilo from the Grade 1 winners and that is not enough. Ashton Park, 55-1 when second 12 months ago, will again be a big price and he may prove best of the Mike Bass quintet.

But it’s on Seventh Plain, 16 out of 16, in the R2.5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run that Marcus faces his biggest task. A conventional start would cost him ten lengths, and easing back to drop his mount in would be even more disastrous.

Most punters will elect to put their trust in genius and on the jockey’s past form they should be rewarded because the stable seemingly has no reservations about the horse’s 20-week absence. Dennis Drier, asked how ready his horse would be, replied (with no ifs or buts): “He is ready.”

Ramsden is quite keen on The Stone Thrower but Liege is held by Seventh Plain on a line through Muwaary and Captain Chaos could be the one to take advantage should Marcus prove unable to pull off another miracle.

Forget last time’s Cape Classic disaster. “He lost 12 lengths at the start and it wasn’t the horse’s fault,” says Ronnie Sheehan who has all along insisted that he was aiming to have the colt at his peak for this – “and I think I have.”

Muwaary, fresh from his triumph in the Graham Beck Stakes, looks the one in the Selangor Cup although Eighth Wonder and Hard Day’s Night represent strong Cape form. Marcus’s mount worked well with Act Of War last Saturday and Ramsden has won three of the last four but draw ten out of 12 is hardly a plus.

There is not much between this horse and Eighth Wonder on Cape Classic running but on that occasion it was Eighth Wonder who had to overcome the coffin-box.

“This is a tough race and I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground,” says Greg Ennion who is quietly hoping to celebrate next week’s 67^th birthday in appropriate style. “His work is good and the jock says he has improved – and this time he is not starting from the sticks.”

By Michael Clower

Horses shuttled in from other provinces by trainers with satellite yards in KZN do not sit well with some of their local colleagues but it has proved to be a mark for local punters to cash in. Dean Kannemeyer has been particularly successful with this strategy and it could pay off again at Greyville on Friday night where he sends out What’s News in a lowly 66MR Handicap, fifth race on the card.

Owned by fellow Milnerton-based trainer Greg Ennion, What’s News boasts some useful Cape form, most recently finishing close-up over the Durbanville ‘mile’. He drops to a sprint on Friday but Anthony Delpech takes over from apprentice Xavier Carstens and the switch to the poly track could be the reason for his move to KZN.

However, he does take on a progressive colt in Doug Campbell’s runner Strummer, a winner on debut on the poly before following up with a second place behind the older Victoria’s Love after being backed in to favourite. He obviously has ability and the step up in trip should not be a bother.

But on a card that consists of Maidens and lowly handicaps, punters could have their work cut out finding the right combinations. In the opening leg of the PA, Charles Laird holds a good hand with The Deacon and Stokvel both in with winning chances but the year older Silver Finalist can defy a deep draw in his poly debut while Winter Auralius showed improvement first up on the poly and should enjoy this trip.

Laird sends out a choicely bred import in the third in the form of Italian Miss and she does not have to be any great shakes to have the measure of this field so any market moves must be respected. Golden Earings and Dark Rose are both battling but have been consistent while Make My Own Luck looks set to improve.

The fourth is a fillies and mares handicap that has upset written all over it. Anton Marcus has stuck with Victory Takeover and the former champion jockey is renowned for doing his homework as he books his own rides so it may pay to follow his judgement. But the list of possible winners is a long one.

In the sixth, the veteran Dun Carrer has been dropping quickly in the handicap and Frank Robinson’s runner now looks to be off a competitive mark again with Muzi Yeni staying aboard. However, this race is also wide open with the likes of Just Like Magic, Bez-Art and Selvan’s Jet also in the mix.

Marcus booked himself the ride on Pure Valor in the seventh and Lowan Denysschen’s runner could possibly be the best bet on the card. He has only got going late in his recent outings over 1600m and the step up in trip with Marcus aboard looks a good combination.

The last is another open event where Kannemeyer’s runner Canigao can improve on a modest debut but Dark Avenger, Blue Ocean and Silverturnstogold are also in with a shout.

By Andrew Harrison

Kenilworth hosts a jackpot of features on Saturday culminating in the clash between reigning Horse Of The Year Futura and last season’s Cape three-year-old champ Act Of War in the Gr 2 Lanzerac Alta Mater Green Point Stakes over 1600m.

Act Of War was able to overcome a wide draw to win the Gr 3 Kudu Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville when showing an exceptional turn of foot from some way off the pace to reel in Heartland. He is up against a lot better this time and drawn wide again. However, he relaxes well wherever he is in the running so a wide draw over 1600m on this course will be a touch easier to overcome, especially considering there doesn’t look to be a lot of pace in the race. This will be his first test against the best horses in the country, but he is unbeaten over this distance and should have benefitted from his Matchem run. He is the one to beat and could go on to prove himself the best miler in the land in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate

Futura ran on well in this race last year from a tough draw. He usually needs his first run after a rest, so will likely not run quite to his peak and likely prefers more than a mile. However his class will make him a tough nut to crack from a plum draw.

Paterfamilias could be the surprise package as the best has seldom been seen of him. He is drawn well over a step up in trip he will relish, having stayed on in a 1400m event in his first run since an 8,5 length victory over 1400m at Turffontein in March.

Ashton Park found a nice position from a high draw over 1400m last time out and stayed on well, losing to Captain America by a short-head despite a crop drop, so he has a chance of repeating his runner up finish in this race last year as he appears to love the Winter Course.

Captain America finished fourth in this race last year but on that occasion it was the big horse’s seasonal reappearance so he should be better this time having had a preparation outing on October 31 in the above mentioned 1400m race when just failing after running on late. He would appreciate cut in the ground, but the 10mm of rain forecast for tomorrow might not be enough to swing it in his favour. He would also prefer a more galloping track too, so his wide draw is a concern.

Sail For Gold has finished close to Act Of War over course and distance before at level weights and appears to be the Mike Bass yard elect. Punta Arenas loves to gallop and is still thriving as a seven-year-old, but would prefer further.

The Conglomerate proved he can be affective over this trip when winning the KRA Guineas, but he is unlikely to get the strong pace which played into his hands in that race and would ideally prefer further.

Helderberg Blue would prefer both further and a more galloping track. Night Trip has talent and is distance suited but his last run was uninspiring. They are selected in the order mentioned and Act Of War and Futura should be enough for the last leg of the Jackpot.

In the third leg of the Jackpot, the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes, Equus Champion colt Seventh Plain should be too strong despite having to jump from draw 16 in the 16-horse field.

Liege was impressive in his maiden win over 1600m and then ran a good second to the top class Muwaary in the Graham Beck over this trip, so he could be the chief danger, although his wide draw won’t make it easy.

Anglet was unlucky in the Gr2 Choice Carriers over 1400m as she had to be eased when running on strongly from last and is now interesting from a fair draw with blinkers on.

The Stone Thrower could be a threat from a good draw if he jumps on terms, because with first time blinkers last time out in a strong Graduation Plate over 1200m he caught the eye running on strongly late.

Elysian Park is a progressive sort and from pole position can’t be ignored. Captain Chaos could be one to consider from a plum draw if jumping on terms. My Emblem has ability and should be cherry ripe. Waity Katy is well drawn and ran on well to beat older horses over 1600m last time, so could earn a cheque. Budapest, Dragon Flame and Kemal Kavur make most appeal of the rest.

Seventh Plain could be a Jackpot banker, otherwise the suggestion is to go wide. Muwaary is the one to beat in the second leg of the Jackpot, the Gr 2 Selangor Cup, as he is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and is full of class. Eighth Wonder won the Cape Classic well and a repeat will see him in contention from a good draw.

Hard Day’s Night will appreciate the step up in trip after his third place in the Cape Classic, but his wide draw is not ideal for his handy style. Rodney flew home in the Cape Classic and will likely love this trip. Sylvester The Cat is better than his last run, but as a difficult sort his wide draw makes it especially tough.

The Listed Lanzerac Le General Kenilworth Cup over 3200m could see Friendly Tibbs running down Ovidio and Arezzo late in the day.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith expects “a nice run” when Futura reappears in the Lanzerac Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday but he points out that it has not been easy to get the Equus Horse of the Year ready for the race.

He said yesterday: “Futura is well and he looks fantastic but we have had some very heavy tracks at Philippi during the present dry spell and we haven’t had the benefit of the water tanker that was meant to come. As a result it is hard to get a horse stripped fit for his first race of the season.”

Glen Kotzen has abandoned Cape Fillies Guineas ambitions for Princess Royal who managed only tenth when starting second favourite for the Choice Carriers Championship.

He said: “We were disappointed with that and, while there are so many things going around that you never know, it looks as if she didn’t stay. She has now had two runs round the turn and she didn’t go through with it in either.

“We are going to go the sprint route with her and, if we decide that she should go further once more, there is always Durban.”

Kotzen did not enter her for the World Sports Betting-sponsored classic on Saturday fortnight and impressive Choice Carriers winner Silver Mountain heads the 21 nominations. Mike De Kock has entered SA Nursery runner-up Shaama – although she is drawn widest of all – and he has put Choice Carriers second Entisaar into the Southern Cross Stakes on the same card.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)

Turffontein Inside stages a nine race card today and punters will be looking to accumulate some betting money for the forthcoming Sansui Summer Cup meeting.

In the first over 1450m Youcanrockme had to be used up to get handy from a wide draw over 1400m on the Standside last time but still ran a fair race and from a good draw this time could go close over a course and distance that could well suit her better. Redaire was awkwardly away on debut and green and was also tight for room in the closing stages. She reportedly made a breathing noise, but with natural improvement for a very much in form yard she should be right there despite a wide draw. Gavin Lerena has kept the ride. Banking April broke slowly from a tough draw on debut over 1000 and stayed on well, so should enjoy this step up in trip. Love Tryst and Snowdonia could earn. Of the first timers Sylvianna by Silvano cost R600,000 and is a half-sister to a Joshua Dancer colt who won over 1200m at Clairwood on debut. New Delhi is by Tiger Ridge out of a Rich Man’s Gold mare and is a half-sister to a Dynasty filly who won second time out over 1000m at Clairwood.

The second is a Graduation Plate over 1450m and Trophy Wife is best in at the weights and distance suited. The champion yard should have her fit enough and she is drawn in pole. Stablemate Imperial Gold should have benefitted from his last run, which followed an eight month layoff and gelding, and could follow her home. The disappointing Anjaal is a capable sort who can never been relied on and this is probably his optimum trip.

The third is a Maiden over 1200m and Justash with Gavin Lerena could be the one to side with in this weak event as he should appreciate the step back in trip and is well drawn. His hard knocking form is on sand but his three turf runs have been in strong company. Mississippi Rising has some fair form and should be thereabouts despite returning from a six month layoff. Calapan is drawn wide but has some pace and others to consider are Cry Of The Toreador and Ashkenazi.

In the fourth over 1600m Road To Indy made late progress in a well contested maiden over 1160m on debut and will relish the step up in trip so gets the vote from a good draw. Connaught Hotel was doing eyecatching late work against a promising sort over 1600m last time and with further improvement should be a contender for an in form yard, although he does have a tricky draw. Diamond Conker has a good draw for a change and should put in a bold bid.

In the fifth, a handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m, Heaps Of Fun was not disgraced when fifth in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup after having to be eased at the start and from a fair draw over a suitable trip should go close. Nikki won her maiden easily over 1200m against a weak field but should improve over this trip so should be a big runner from a good draw off a lenient merit rating. For The Lads is a distance Gr 1 winner running off a merit rating of 79 and Gavin Lerena has kept the ride after she ran on late last time over 1400m on the Standside course, so she is a most interesting runner. Sweet Habanero and Tell My Star are others to consider.

The sixth is a MR 70 Handicap over 1600m and Tabreek could be the one having been unlucky in his first run as a gelding last time over course and distance. He has been given a four point raise but is well drawn again. Rocketball has a touch of class and turf might be what he has been looking for after a string of good runs on the Greyville poly, although he does have a tough draw to overcome and the handicapper punished him three points for his last run. Facebook has been coming into his own and enjoys this course and distance so he could be involved. Regal Force and Kidmambo make most appeal of the rest.

The seventh is a MR 80 Handicap over 2600m. Silver Matador has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight and he should be finishing as strongly as he did last time over course and distance. Top Shot has improved with blinkers and looks likely to relish this trip so he will likely go close with a light weight and Khumalo up from a good draw.  Supertube will love the course and distance and has Strydom up. Noble Star and Enaad also have to be considered.

In the eighth, a MR 76 Handicap over 1800m, Lava Flow has always had some class and bounced back to his best when blinkers were refitted last time so from pole position he should go close as he was running on in that 1600m race and is now drawn in pole off the same merit rating. Baracah has ability and will likely appreciate the step down in trip so off a lowered merit rating and from a god draw he could represent some value. Super Glue probably needed his last run quite badly and was far from disgraced, while being by Ideal World he should be coming into his own, so he is an interesting runner in his second run after a layoff of nearly a year. American Magic and Respectable Ruler make most appeal of the rest.

In the ninth, a MR 67 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m, Grand Epoque is off a competitive merit rating and could go close over a suitable trip if able to get handy from a wide draw without being used up too much. There is not much between her and Shawl and the latter does have a better draw so is a big runner. Spurwing Summer is drawn in pole and proved last time out over 2200m that she is competitive off this merit rating, while her only win has been over this course and distance.

By David Thiselton