Craig Zackey, fresh from winning South Africa’s most prestigious race — the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July — was denied a maiden jockeys’ championship last season after a suspension halted his title bid against Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena.
That setback hasn’t dimmed his focus. At Turffontein’s Inside track on Saturday 23 August, Zackey has a strong book of seven rides and looks poised to strike early in the new 2025/26 campaign.
In the opener over 3000m, he partners Mike and Adam Azzie’s stayer Breeze Over, who returned to form with two solid recent runs. A repeat of his last-start second over 2400m would make him tough to beat, especially with Zackey back aboard after previously guiding him to a runner-up finish.
Race 2 could see Zackey quickly double up with Midnight Flyer, a well-bred What A Winter gelding out of Jet Master mare Fly By Night. He impressed on debut when second over 1160m and should relish the drop to 1000m with natural improvement on his side.
Other rides with chances include Lasting Looks (Race 3), Hotarubi (Race 5), Bourbon Reserve (Race 6) and Fair Proposal (Race 8).
The standout, however, may be Pressonregardless in the closing Race 9. Trained by David Nieuwenhuizen, the Lancaster Bomber gelding made a dominant seasonal reappearance two weeks ago, scoring by nearly three lengths over 1400m on the Standside track. That victory confirmed both horse and jockey are in sharp form, and although he carries a six-point penalty, his record over the course and distance (a second and a third from two starts) suggests he remains the one to beat.
Zackey may have missed the championship last term, but Saturday could well underline his determination to stay in the hunt this season.
Clive Robinson
