When it comes to most sports there is no substitute for class and that is especially true in horseracing when it comes to horses and jockeys. There was plenty in evidence at Greyville yesterday as Lala outclassed her rivals in the Open Handicap while top riders Anton Marcus and Anthony Delpech showed their mastery of the Greyville poly track.

Lala (Nkosi Hlophe)

Lala has always been well regarded by her stable and she confirmed Doug Campbell’s opinion with a solid victory in the opening leg of the jackpot. Well handled by apprentice Denis Schwarz, he always had Lala in the firing line as Seattle Belle made the early running and making full use of his 4kg claim he got the daughter of Visionaire to quicken away from her rivals to win rather comfortably with Playboy Buddy and Mamasita chasing her home.

Marcus and Delpech generally have free range when it comes to booking rides but in the end, they still have to get them home.

Delpech pounced late on Icy Spirit for Alyson Wright to undo favourite La Di Var two jumps from the line in the second but had to be content with runner-up berths on Dean Kannemeyer’s runners Playboy Buddy and favourite Tanjiro who found a fast-finishing Olympic Power too much to handle in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap. Delpech made amends for Kannemeyer in the sixth, keeping favourite Soldier’s Code hard to his task to hold off the attentions of Golden Fort and Breakfast Club.

Marcus opened his account with a comfortable win in the card opener on Malhama, the Mike de Kock-trained Australian bred daughter of Commands finishing like a train, and followed up two races later with a superbly timed finish on One O Won. Marcus had Garth Puller’s runner last turning for home but as is his want, he switched his mount towards to the outside rail and One O Won responded with a telling stretch run to win going away from Newyorkstateofmind and Aramouse.

In spite of apprentice Eric Ngwane’s best efforts, Nicklaus gave him a torrid ride in the seventh. Hanging out under pressure he never left Thirtytwo Squadron and Tristan Godden alone for a furlong and the resulting objection and reversal of the result was no surprise.

There was some relief for punters in the last as the well fancied Arctic Teon responded to a driving ride from Keagan de Melo to finally shed his maiden.

By Andrew Harrison