Khumalo is working overtime to score wins

S’MANGA Khumalo’s bid to land his first jockey’s title has got off to a whirlwind start, with rivals Piere Strydom and Anthony Delpech already trailing by more than 12 winners after the first month of the new season.

But Khumalo can argue that he is certainly dedicating long hours to his job — he rode in 55 more races than any other jockey last month. He competed in 155 races well ahead of Stuart Randolph’s 100 and Sherman Brown’s 99.

It is already a year to remember for Khumalo with his victories in two important Grade 1 races, the Vodacom Durban July and President’s Champion Challenge. The question now is: can he maintain this frenetic schedule, which includes regularly flying to compete in Durban and Port Elizabeth from his base in Johannesburg?

Trainer Sean Tarry is the man who had Heavy Metal at his peak to win the two big features for owner Chris van Niekerk, and Khumalo is scheduled to partner three runners for the stable at the Vaal today.

The pick of the trio could be sand specialist Mr Tobin, whose career earnings are approaching R1m. Following a shocking run in May, the eight-year-old turned in a much improved effort last month when he came second behind highly rated Pylon.

While Mr Tobin is favoured by the conditions of today’s fourth race, he is getting a bit long in the tooth and may battle to give 4.5kg to the four years younger Panjo.

Although champion Strydom is probably not impressed that Khumalo is grabbing all the headlines, he will be hoping to complete a hat trick on Panjo who has really blossomed since his switch to the sand.

Trainer Mike de Kock sends out Right Beauty and the grey is worth including in place accumulator perms for the simple reason that he has finished third in each of his last four appearances at the Free State track.

Code Red appeals as the best outsider as — despite not being well treated at the weights — his record of five wins and two placings in his last seven outings proves he has plenty of ability.

Unless there is a market move for first-timer Yellow Wood Tree, punters are likely to throw in with stablemate Evergreen in the opening event. This son of Western Winter will be on a retrieving mission after failing to justify favouritism in July.

Robbie Fradd will be in the irons on Evergreen and he could have a successful meeting as his sixth-race mount, E-Ticket, looks sure to top the betting boards.

This will be Jet Master’s first outing on sand following her impressive debut win at Turffontein in June.

Khumalo will be hoping to outfox Fradd on Tarry’s mare, Empire Of The Moon, but her last two efforts on sand have been disappointing. A better horse for the swinger could be Magic Jet, who chased home E-Ticket at Turffontein.

Magic Jet will be trying the sand for the first time and could go well in the hands of promising apprentice Julius Mariba. He has also started the new campaign in style, riding 10 winners in the first four weeks.