CHAMPION jockey Basil Marcus gave another vintage display and continued his superb start to the new season when capturing the long-established Kwangtung Handicap Cup on Strikers (5-1).
Marcus and retaining trainer David Hayes had every reason to laugh in the rain as exciting Strikers powered home along the rails to score an impressive .75-length win in the Classes One and Two feature event.
The market was dominated by topweight Monza, who was expected to shoulder his 133lbs burden and underline the ability which carried him to success last season.
But Monza, ridden by French jockey Eric Saint-Martin, had a torrid time being three and four wide virtually throughout in the nine-runner event. Given the weight and the fact that there were a couple of very useful performers, Monza had a ominously tough task.
Not surprisingly, it proved too much and Monza did not reach the frame.
Marcus, who has added a considerable degree of patience to his list of riding virtues, was moving well at the rear of the small field as they approached the straight.
