CHAMPION trainer Ivan Allan sung the praises of stable jockey Basil Marcus after a successful meeting yesterday.
'I've worked with some good jockeys in my time and they have stuck with me but Basil's the best of them,' Allan said.
Internationally-known Allan has major interests in Australasia and declared: 'When I've got a horse that can win a decent race down there, I'll fly Basil down.' Allan was stirred to make comment after some reports criticised Marcus following a very narrow defeat in a recent race.
MICK Kinane, who kept his good run going at Sha Tin yesterday, is in demand in Melbourne.
The Irish champion has been booked to ride Elegancy in the Crown Sprint so Hong Kong punters will get a chance to see him in action in two simulcast races tomorrow.
Kinane was booked for the sprinter yesterday and accepted, giving him three rides on the Flemington card.
'I have one before the Cup and it's over 1,400 metres so this time at least I'll be going round a corner before the big race,' said Kinane, referring to his lone pre-Cup ride last year down the straight 1,200-metre course.
