The nine-race card on the Inside track at Turffontein on Saturday 5 April is dominated by jockeys Craig Zackey and S’manga Khumalo, whose rides are likely to win four of the Highveld’s weekend events. Following title-chasing Zackey and the Khumalo, a former champion in his own right, should prove a profitable exercise.
Zackey, who is embroiled in a three-way tussle with Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena for the National Jockeys’ Championship, is particularly strong early on the card and should get the meeting off to a winning start aboard Back From War for trainer Paul Matchett in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1450m.
This Act Of War filly had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last start over 1000m which was in the Listed Ruffian Stakes, but the step up to an extended trip will suit Matchett’s charge who will also benefit from dropping back into maiden company.
Zackey should find the target again in Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, on Sean Tarry-trained Trail Runner, a daughter of Lancaster Bomber. This improving three-year-old filly has finished third in consecutive starts over 1400m and 1160m on the Standside track and any improvement from Tarry’s charge in just her fourth career outing will likely land her and Zackey in the winners’ enclosure.
Khumalo rides Tony Peter-trained Scars Of War for the first time in Race 5, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m, the same course and distance over which she shed her maiden tag by 9.25 lengths last season.
This daughter of Heavenly Blue has not been seen since running in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of July last year. However, she is weighted to be competitive on her reappearance and Peter’s decision to book Khumalo for the ride is encouraging for her chances.
Khumalo has a particularly good record with trainer and Johan Janse van Vuuren for whom he rides Kudzu in Race 7, a MR 96 Handicap over 1800m. This lightly raced four-year-old gelding by Flower Alley scored over 1600m on the Inside track last time out but has shown his versatility by winning over 2000m.
Van Vuuren’s last-start winner carries a four-point penalty but remains open to further improvement and is good value to follow up.
Clive Robinson
