Diminutive Durban-born jockey Muzi Yeni is the only rider at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 5 July with a full book of 12 rides at the Hollywoodbets Durban July meeting, and he’ll likely head home to KwaZulu-Natal for the big day brimming with confidence, as a trip north to the Highveld for a midweek eight-race Vaal card on Thursday 3 July should bring with it multiple race victories.
Yeni has half a dozen rides at the Vereeniging-based track and, while solid cases can be made for each of his mounts, two are of particular interest. Both runners represent St John Gray, with whom Yeni has forged a formidable partnership. In the last 110 associations, Yeni has achieved a 67% first-four finish on Gray-trained horses, including 24 wins at a healthy rate of 22% and 50 places (45%).
This jockey-trainer duo combine late in the day with Guerilla Warfare (Race 7) and Palace Prince (Race 8) and the pair seem good value for a race-to-race double.
Hard-knocking handicapper Guerilla Warfare will be as hard as nails when he lines up over 1600m for what is his third start in two weeks. This three-year-old New Predator gelding is maintaining form off his current mark and he deserves a reward for his consistency. He backed up an improved third a fortnight ago by finishing a close-up fourth over 1600m last week on Turffontein’s Inside track. and a repeat of either performance (both under Yeni) should suffice.
Stable companion Palace Prince caught the eye on debut when a fast-finishing third over 1200m, overcoming his inexperience on that occasion to clock a brisk 22.6 seconds 400m-to-finish. He confirmed the promise of that introduction with a last-start 1160m maiden victory under Yeni on the Standside track at Turffontein.
There should be more to come from this two-year-old Potala Palace colt on his handicap debut, even against older more-experienced rivals. Gray’s youngster is open to any amount of improvement, especially over the extended trip that should unlock further potential.
Clive Robinson
