St Tropez, Marcus to score

Joey Ramsden’s charge has always shown to be talented but on a left-handed course has the tendency to hang across to the outside once the field comes into the home straight. That has often made him difficult to control and resulted in two successive defeats to Ultimate Dollar.

However, once travelling to KwaZulu-Natal where the tracks run clockwise St Tropez settled down but, in his first start at Greyville, a horse hung outwards and impeded him. The connections laid an objection and got the decision but ironically, the horse who had caused all the interference was Ultimate Dollar.

After that Ramsden took St Tropez to Fairview to contest the Grade 3 East Cape Derby over 2400m and there were some sceptics who thought the distance would be too far. As it happened, St Tropez was clearly looking for the extra ground and despite a slow start, romped away to win by 2.25 lengths.

This Scottsville race is a MR 86 Handicap over 1950m and that should right up his street. St Tropez was only penalised 1kg for that Derby win so looks well in, even though he carries 60.5kg.

The Mike de Kock yard saddles two runners – Scotsnog and Jet Avenger – and it is the former who looks the main danger to St Tropez. After some disappointing early runs this son of Kildonan struck form and reeled off three wins in a row. In the last of those victories he can boast a victory over Legal Eagle, who went on to win the Grade 1 SA Derby in impressive style.

He was beaten 0.50 lengths by Majestic Bay in his next start after which Scotsnog was rested. He gets 2kg from St Tropez and could trouble Ramsden’s runner.