CHAMPION jockey Basil Marcus received the perfect boost for his International Cup date on Sunday when he swept the first half of the Happy Valley card last night - keeping alive his slim hopes of retaining the title.
The South African is gloriously riding the crest of a winning wave and a River Verdon victory in the $4.5 million Cup would be the perfect climax to his season, apart from keeping hold of his title.
And Marcus closed the gap to 10 winners on runaway leader Tony Cruz as a result of victories on L'Enjoleur (9-5 favourite) in the opener, 12-1 chance Upper Hand in Race Two and 5-2 favourite Pinch The Devil in the third event.
In a dramatic night's racing, the first winner saw trainer David Hill go to joint top of that championship for the first time in six years in Hongkong. But his stay on top lasted only four races until defending champion trainer John Moore saddled up Dragons Desert (10-1).
Moore now leads on 29 winners from Hill and Lawrie Fownes.
And Peter Ng Bik-kuen served fresh notice that he's not done with in the title battle by producing the 30-1 winner of the night's feature event, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Challenge Cup.