Advertisement

Basil must wait another day to claim his record

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0

CHAMPION jockey Basil Marcus equalled his best tally on a night of mixed fortunes for the South African ace at Happy Valley last night. A cool, calculating ride on Just Delight (5-1) brought him his 71st winner of the season, equalling last season's tally, but he failed to get the one that would have put him clear when Racing Ace (3-1 favourite) found A Secret Weapon (4-1) too good in the nightcap.

Earlier, a good plunge on griffin debutant Star Lap (9-2) went astray in the second event when the youngster veered sharply off at the home bend, leaving Marcus with an impossible task. The two-year-old eventually finished in a dead-heat for third place.

Just Delight was providing another winner for champion trainer-elect Ivan Allan who had the four-year-old gelding turned out in great shape. A Class Three galloper taking advantage of the overlap system, Just Delight was entitled to maximum respect on his best form. ''It was a slightly easier race for him and we were certainly hopeful that he would run very well,'' said Allan.

Just Delight lay just off the fairly hectic pace set by Rambo, Family Of Wah Yuen and Men's Pride (7-1), who finished second. Men's Pride took it up in the 1,650-metre race at the top of the straight but Marcus had him in his sights and went on to win comfortably. Owner's Dream (7-1) finished third under persistent and heavy riding from Rambo Tse Wai-ho but this is not one to rely upon. Australian jockey Michael Clarke, whose father will train at Taipa next season, has not had a particularly memorable three-month stint but things have taken a turn for the better.

Beyond Control obliged for the Melbourne-based jockey on Saturday night at Sha Tin and A Secret Weapon, stepped up to 1,650 metres, won in determined fashion. There were no real excuses for favourite Racing Ace who was hard ridden by Marcus from the top of the Rock and never really looked like getting the measure of the winner.

Send A Signal (9-2) appeared to be blocked for a run at a crucial stage and finished third - but the winner did it on merit. Happy Valley-loving Tarnside Turbo (9-2) did it again in the night's main staying contest, the Cricket Club Valley Stakes.

This 2,230-metre test for Classes Two and Three horses was exactly what Tarnside Turbo likes - even though his immediate past form was more than a little patchy. But he's a different horse at Happy Valley and he showed it again last night with regular rider Raymond K. L. Tsui up. He came from near last in the small field of seven to sweep clear at the 200-metre mark and easily gain the upper hand over the Damien Oliver-ridden favourite, Sagar (2-1).

Advertisement