Champion jockey Basil Marcus produced another catch-me-if-you-can performance at Happy Valley last night with another sparkling midweek treble.
The South African is intent on hanging on to his title and claimants to the throne know they have plenty to do with Marcus riding at the height of his considerable powers.
Happy Valley has always been exactly that to Marcus and he punched out short-priced Telecom Boss (2-1 favourite) for boss David Hayes to start another pleasant night out at the city track. Telecom Boss emerged the comfortable winner of the opener and then Marcus struck in the fifth event with low-grade galloper Kick The Habit (9-1) for trainer David Oughton.
The six-year-old has drifted down the classes to be in the bottom grade and it is on horses like Kick The Habit that Marcus can be devastatingly effective.
Marcus pushed, shoved and drove Kick The Habit along until the maiden performer really responded and went on to post a 3.25-length win over A Fortune (25-1) in the 1,800-metre event.
The treble came up in the final event when Marcus kept hot-pot Topspin (2-1 favourite) right to the task to gain a short-head victory over the Hayes-trained stablemate, Dance Control (20-1), in a thrilling 1,200-metre, Class Two nightcap.
It left Hayes and Marcus easily on top of their respective standings and the Australian mentor summed it up aptly: 'A good night's work. I'm glad we came.' Racing was conducted on a very fast track and it definitely paid to be in front. All times were well inside standard and only Danish Heights, who finished second to Sir Galway in an interesting third event, came from last to do anything.
