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SCMP Reporter

Multiple champion jockey Basil Marcus looks to hold the key to tomorrow's Sha Tin Triple Trio.

 Marcus is making a most spirited defence of his title in the face of some equally determined opposition from his countryman, the demon Douglas Whyte who has been riding out of his skin.

 But one of the many good things about Marcus as far as punters are concerned is that he never shirks a challenge.

 He is riding more work than ever, studying the form harder than ever and hustling for rides harder than ever.

 He's also riding for all he's worth out there on the track and the intense championship rivalry is a boon for the betting public.

 At Sha Tin tomorrow, Marcus has snapped up a decent outside ride on the Andy Leung-trained Lucky Express in the third event which, as usual, opens the Triple Trio.

 He also looks a most significant booking for the Derek Cruz-trained Solid Contact in the fourth event, the Police Cup, which provides the middle pin to the Triple Trio.

 Lucky Express was very badly ridden last time when asked to dispute the lead with the likes of Patrician and Flowers Comrade in the race that Whyte won on City Warrior.

 These were suicidal tactics on Lucky Express as underlined by an earlier split time of 21.6 seconds followed by splits in 23.2 and 25.7 seconds.

 Against that kind of sectional timing, the race was set up for the placegetters to come from those racing off the pace.

 Equally, those who set this speed had virtually no chance at all of still being there on the line.

 Lucky Express, who was also somewhat racing against his normal pattern as he's steamed home on occasions from off the pace, predictably dropped out to finish 10th of the 14 runners.

 But now that man Marcus replaces the inexperienced apprentice and, what's more, Lucky Express drops from Class Four into Class Five.

 Lucky Express has been a hard horse to train and has needed his races to come to peak fitness.

  All things appear to come together tomorrow and he looks Triple Trio banker material at the very least in that he only has to run into the first three placings.

 Speed Cat is a nightmare at the barriers but has more than enough natural ability to place from the bottom of Class Five. His recent barrier work suggests he has improved his habits and won't lose too much ground. He'll probably miss the start but not by the wide margin of last time which cost him so dearly at Happy Valley.

 Unlimiteddimension was held up for a run before finishing second last time and appears to have trained on well since while the blinkers for the first time should help Go Go Win who is now down to a competitive mark and should be suited by Class Five.

 Go Go Win was another to blow the start last time but is unlikely to be a repeat offender and could be the surprise package.

 Others with chances include Happy King, On The Beat and The King Of Honour.

 Solid Contact had a torrid trip throughout when disappointing behind Manor Lord having previously run so well when a luckless short head second to Silver Collector at Happy Valley, form which has worked out well. The son of Snippets is again drawn low and he seemed to resent being inside other horses last time.

 But Marcus will be well aware of this and can be trusted to bring him home into the placings at the very least. He's a strong banker.

 Top Practitioner may just have needed the run last time and merits respect as do Happy Hunting, who is getting fitter, Gagne Vite who has a good record course and distance, Royal Performance, who is down to a useful handicap rating and ran well last time and Winning Smart, who comes into this with credentials.

 Kevmate is rated another strong banker in the sixth event which concludes the Triple Trio.

 He has always shaped as if he would improve for a move up to 1,400 metres and should progress for his last-start second to Songs Of Innocence as he'd had a troubled preparation coming into that race and had missed work.

 Kevmate has also displayed an admirably tenacious attitude in his racings, especially when challenged for the quinella spot by Toy Symphony last time. He just wouldn't give in and that should stand him in good stead for running a placing tomorrow.



Marcus can open door to Triple Trio