VISITING jockey John Marshall reminded local punters what a determined rider he is in a finish with a fighting double at rainswept Sha Tin last night. Marshall answered an SOS call from the Jockey Club just over a fortnight ago to ride until the end of the season and followed up on an opening winner a week previously with a 36-1 strike for trainers Derek Cruz and David Oughton. The Sydney rider came through with a superbly timed run in the low grade opening event to score a short head win on Gallant Warrior (6-1), coming from last to grab victory right on the line. Marshall had been aboard the Oughton-trained Highland Laddie at its last start when finishing just behind the placegetters. It was the gelding's first run back after a spell and he had clearly improved from the outing.

A wet-track winner, Marshall made full use of the gelding's light weight to take him to the front and keep him there over 1,600 metres which is as far as Highland Laddie (6-1) likes to go. Marshall's trademark windmill whip action was in full evidence as he persuaded Highland Laddie to hang on by a head in the face of a determined challenge from the Eric Legrix-ridden topweight, Peace Gallery (20-1).