Now an established Gr1-winning conditioner, Adam Marcus was a teenage assistant to his Dad Basil when their Equus Champion Jay Peg became the first 3yo to complete the classic quartet of the Cape Classic, the Selangor Cup, the Cape Guineas and the Cape Derby.
A month ago the globetrotting superstar Jay Peg sadly left us for the paddock of champions in the sky.
Jay Peg wins Gr1 Cape Guineas in 2007
But the pictorial memento of his extraordinary record four-win feat as a 3yo that commenced with the Cape Classic on 18 November 2006, proudly adorns the wall at the Adam Marcus Racing HQ at Milnerton.
On Saturday, Adam begins a brand new classic crusade with the exciting recent runaway maiden winner, Universal, who takes on eight rivals in the 2021 renewal of the Gr3 Cape Classic.
Talking to the Sporting Post as rain clouds gathered overhead, Adam says that the half-brother to established stable star and Equus Champion Vardy has done his work, but only ‘does what he needs to’.
“He really looks magnificent and while naturally he won’t be near100% fitness on Saturday, I am expecting a good effort from him. I have no doubt that on pure ability he is up with the best 3yo’s, but mentally he still needs to come on. And that will come with experience.”
Universal (Craig Zackey) cruises clear at his second outing (PIc – Chase Liebenberg)
Both of Universal’s runs have been down the Kenilworth straight. We asked Adam if his charge has seen the turn?
“No he hasn’t been around the turn. Kenilworth was closed for its spring treatment and I didn’t want to take him to Durbanville, as I felt it was a bit hard underfoot. So I had to balance the experience benefit versus the soundness risk – and he goes in blind on Saturday.”
With Craig Zackey attending his brother’s wedding on Saturday, Adam has secured the services of his Uncle Anton Marcus – who can ride a bit.
“Fortunately we were able to secure the services of Uncle Anton (Marcus). As you say he is ‘okay’ – with over 100 Gr1 winners to his name and the rest,” he laughs.
The weather outlook is for some rain. Will that be an issue?
“Universal won his maiden in heavy going. He is likely to grow another leg if it comes up soft!”
Universal is raced by Darryl Yutar, Jimmy Sarkis, Greg Blank & Hilton Yutar. He is by boom sire Gimmethegreenlight out of the Jet Master mare Cupid, and was bred by the Tawny Syndicate at Klawervlei Stud.
Jay Peg retains the record of being the only horse in history to acieve the classic quartet.
What would make for an interesting trivia question is – who were his jockeys?
For the record, Richard Fourie won the first two legs, Anton Marcus won the Cape Guineas on him, and Jeff Lloyd was victorious in the Cape Derby.
It is also interesting to note how the racing programme has shifted since Jay Peg’s glory days:
The Cape Classic was run a month later that now, the Selangor (now the Concorde Cup) was three weeks later, the Guineas was on 6 January 2007 (now 18 December) and the Derby was run on Met day – 27 January. The Derby is now run on the last Saturday of February. For the good? You decide.
- The Gr3 Cape Classic is off at 16h25- watch it live on Tellytrack ( Dstv 249)
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