Thursday’s eight-race Turffontein Inside track meeting could well be a showground for the riding talents of Keagan de Melo and Craig Zackey.
These two premier jockeys both boast powerful rides and look well placed to dominate proceedings, with attractive double opportunities for punters seeking to build their bets around proven professionals.
De Melo can get the afternoon off to a flying start and may well have his double wrapped up before the card reaches its halfway point.
His first chance comes in Race 1 aboard Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Periodic Table, who has done little wrong in two career starts. The son of Danon Platina has filled the runner-up position on both occasions, most recently when narrowly denied over 1000m in a work riders event.
That defeat was frustrating for supporters who sent him off at cramped odds, but the performance itself suggests a maiden victory is close. The step up to 1200m looks a positive move and, in a race lacking obvious depth, he should not need to improve much to make amends.
The De Melo-Janse van Vuuren combination can strike again in Race 2 with Brigitte Anne, a filly whose consistency deserves reward. The well-related daughter of Querari has hit the frame in all five starts and produced another honest effort when third over this course and distance against male opposition last time.
Dropping into a contest restricted to her own sex represents a significant easing of her task and a repeat of that latest performance should make her extremely difficult to beat.
Craig Zackey, meanwhile, appears to have strong claims of a double of his own.
The country’s leading rider can strike in Race 4 aboard Gimmesumluv for Lucky Houdalakis. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight was disappointing in her last outing, but the run is best forgiven after she was reported not to be striding out freely.
Punters should be prepared to overlook that effort. Her previous form stacks up well in the context of this race and, if returning to her earlier level, she is capable of making amends at what could prove attractive odds.
Zackey’s standout engagement comes later on the card in Race 7, where Sean Tarry-trained That’s My Baby shapes as one of the stronger wagers of the afternoon.
The daughter of Master Of My Fate has been holding her own in stronger company and arrives with form that compares favourably to most of her rivals. Her latest effort in KwaZulu-Natal was particularly encouraging, finishing close up in a race that on paper looks stronger than this contest.
Crucially, she remains competitive off her current handicap mark and looks ideally placed to capitalise on this drop in class.
With De Melo holding a strong hand in the opening exchanges and Zackey boasting two major winning chances later in the programme, Thursday’s Inside track fixture presents punters with a straightforward angle. Back the country’s leading riders and let their quality do the heavy lifting.
Clive Robinson
