4 jockeys hog Turffontein winners

The anti-competition authorities might take an interest in Saturday’s results at Turffontein racecourse. Just four jockeys went home winners after the running of nine races on the card.

Apprentice Luke Ferraris emerged with a trio of victories, while fellow appie Dennis Schwarz claimed a double – as did Muzi Yeni and Piere Strydom.

Ferraris has been making a habit of riding multiple winners, often keeping it all in the family aboard runners from the stable of trainer grandfather Ormond. That was the case again on Saturday, as the young rider steered home 16-10 favourite Vivir for grandad in Race 2, then repeated the dose on another favourite, 4-1 chance Querari Viking, in Race 6.

He then made it a “Viking double”, aboard Bold Viking (4-1) for trainer Sean Tarry in Race 7.

The treble brought the Ferraris winning tally in the new season to seven, placing him high on the national championship log – while still claiming 2.5kg.

A lot of attention is being paid to Ferraris and Lyle Hewitson, the national champion while still an apprentice, but another “laaitie” is quietly making a name for himself. That is Schwarz, who no longer claims any weight advantage but continues to rack up the wins.

He will be jetting off to Russia at the end of this month to represent South Africa in the World Apprentice Jockey Championship in Kazan.