We can match Bok win, says Muzi
CAPTAIN: YENI WILL LEAD SA JOCKEYS AGAINST A REST-OF-THE-WORLD TEAM
Quirky Battleoftrafalgar stands out in Monaco Million Maiden Sprint.
It is a huge honour to lead some of our country's finest horsemen into this eagerly anticipated showdown against a rest-of-theworld team, loaded with hugely talented and successful visitors. This is my address to our team. “I will endeavour to do my best to give us the edge as captain and after our incredible Rugby World Cup triumph by Siya and the boys, I know we will give our all and make our beautiful country proud. That's my early team talk to our guys as we take to the field for the four-race International Jockeys’ Challenge at Turffontein today.
“All that said, after studying the card thoroughly my early prediction is that the visitors hold the trumps with their rides, purely due to luck of the ballot. However, our country is used to being the underdog and that has certainly inspired us to be hugely successful in all codes of sport for decades.
“I would just like to compliment Racing Association CEO Larry Wainstein and his team, as well as the sponsors, for making this event possible. It was so badly missed last year.
There will be rivalry on the turf but I can assure you there's been plenty camaraderie and respect between all of us (locals and internationals) off it.
“This is one of the finest international teams I have seen assembled in quite some time and I also want to thank Hayley, Rab, Paul, Andrea, Franny and Martin for accepting the invitation. I'm pretty certain that you will have an exceptional time in our beautiful country.
“Lastly, to my team of dual championship winner S’manga
Khumalo, former Victor Ludorum Gavin Lerena, highly successful Greg Cheyne, current log leader Warren Kennedy, star of the future Callan Murray and not forgetting our super-sub, gifted Wayne Agrella, gentlemen, you guys can be extremely proud to have made the grade in a country that is blessed with an abundance of greatly talented riders.
"I salute you for your hard work and achievements."
Now on to more pressing matters at hand and we begin with the Monaco Million Maiden Sprint that has been kindly sponsored by Prince Albert of Monaco and his sponsors. I really believe a fit Battleoftrafalgar will cruise to victory but there is some hope as the talented Captain Al colt seems to have his quirks and he returns to racing following a 23-week rest.
My ride, Captain Hindsight, is showing good work back home and he fought hard when going down narrowly to subsequent winner Donderweer. The thirdplaced runner, Bouncing Tigger, has won since.
Of the balance, Eppagilia has his peak run and Hot Gossip met a quality sort when grabbed late on debut. Tusker can also show nice improvement.
The Jackpot, comprising the four legs of the International Jockeys’ Challenge, is expectedly highly competitive. In Race 5, a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m, I really like Franny Norton's ride What A Joker who I've partnered before. Riga D'Ora will love the likely cracking gallop and should be staying on, along with veteran gelding Jackman who races fresh. Royal City was extremely unlucky last time out.
My ride, Festive Linngari, has much to do on form from a poor draw plus he prefers further, but is having his peak outing and I'll be giving my all.
I have a much better ride in Race 6, a FM 76 Handicap over 1400m. I partner three-year old Seven Seas who had a courageous post-maiden run despite being under sufferance and over-racing for much of that event. That said, she faces some hard-knocking older sorts and has a big mass.
My principle dangers are Plum Field and Kirkconnel Lass, both of whom will love the likely suicidal pace and the slight preference is for the former who will be ridden by Rab Havlin. Vi Va Pi Pa has cracked pole position and she enjoys this course and distance.
The penultimate leg is a MR 84 Handicap over 1160m and here we have our best chance of claiming a victory. Gavin Lerena rides Bockscar who I think will love being equipped with blinkers on his third run after a rest. Baron Rodney should be competitive on form but the runner-up in his last start, Brigtnumberten, has failed miserably since.
Palace Assembly is way better than his last run and he has some quality about him while Ice Eater is in search of the hat-trick but will find things much tougher today.
Keep an eye on first reserve runner Certifiable should he get a run. His wily conditioner and owner, St John Gray, gelded the five-year-old recently and surprisingly stepped the sprinter out over 1600m in his first run back.
My ride, Golden Lion, has lost some of his smart earlier form but he has gradually dropped in the merit ratings and his recent conqueror has won again since.
The final leg is a MR 83 Handicap over 1800m where Master And Man and Martin Dwyer seem to have the race at their mercy, with my ride Hellofaride possibly the only obstacle in their path. The five-year-old gelding has impressive recent form and could enjoy a soft lead and he loves his galloping home track.
However, my teammate, Callan Murray, was impressed with Hellofaride's fluent maiden triumph at the second time of asking and he has assured me the colt has come on further since. Of the balance, the blinkered Palace Green, Over Sharing and Chevron are worthy inclusions.
The betting market will be the best guide for the opening two events which sees the juveniles clash for the first time this season. On pedigree, I fancy jockey Warren Kennedy's rides in both events for the powerful Paul Peter stable.
Race 3 is an 1160m maiden clash with a maximum field of 20 entrants. Razna could be great value, with Samoa, newcomer Kay Tee Perry and Madame Patrice as possible dangers.
The final event is a Middle Stakes over 2400m and I expect frontrunners Major Return and Fact to dominate the likely slowly run event with preference for the former.
Emily Hobhouse is best weighted on her peak run over her ideal course and distance but the likely false pace is a big concern for her.
Suggested Pick 6
1, 7 X 2, 8, 9, 10, 11 X 5, 9, 11 X 3, 4, 5, 8, 13 X 2, 3, 4, 5, 11 X 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 - R3,750.