Search

show me:

Muzi Yeni Making Late Charge For South African Title

3 minute read

Muzi Yeni has two meetings to close the gap on Lyle Hewitson for this season's South African riding premiership.

The championship seemed to be a foregone conclusion for Hewitson but the title race changed at Scottsville last week when Yeni landed a double.

Muzi Yeni
Muzi Yeni Picture: Singapore Turf Club

Hewitson drew a blank and it was clear that Yeni had not given up hope when he rode a further three winners at the Vaal to Hewitsons one.

Friday at Fairview was a blank for both riders but Championship day at Greyville saw Yeni come home with another winner.

On Sunday at Turffontein there was a four win separation before Yeni brought home Informative under a driving ride for Paul Machett.

The gap is now down to two wins after Yeni landed another winner at Fairview on Monday on a day when Greg Cheyne dominated by landing five of the eight winners.

Yeno and Hewitson have big books of rides at the last two meetings of the season at Kenilworth on Tuesday and Greyville on Wednesday.

Hewitson will pack his bags for Hong Kong for the new season. Yeni on the other hand is seeking his first title after years and years of hard work and dedication.

He is the most travelled jockey in the country having been on planes almost every day of the current season.

Aldo Domeyer delighted his army of followers with a heavily supported double at Kenilworth on Saturday in a brief return to South African racing before resuming his career in Hong Kong.

"I'm only back here for a fortnight – really just to say hello – and then I must resume riding work in Hong Kong," said Domeyer, who will ride at other meetings this week before departing for HK.

Aldo Domeyer
Aldo Domeyer Picture: Singapore Turf Club

Such is Domeyer's reputation in Cape racing that all but one of his six mounts on Saturday started favourite or joint favourite.

It was noticeable that Domeyer is now race-riding from the off, working out beforehand where his mount should be and doing his best to be there.

Sacred Arrow in the Pinnacle was a case in point.

 "I felt it was imperative to switch him off – he probably wouldn't find a kick if I allowed him to run free," Domeyer said.

Sacred Arrow duly got up to justify Candice Bass-Robinson's decision to use Domeyer.

 "Aldo asked me to give him one decent ride and I thought this was my best runner of the day," she said.

Honey Pie, Domeyer's other winner, was for Justin Snaith and won by an effortless six lengths.

It was also a red-letter day for 19-year-old Tyrell Maharaj, who rode his first winner when making all on the Paul Reeves-trained Moon Rock in the 1200m handicap.

Another winning rider Mncedi Sigenu, universally known as Godfrey, is not a name that springs to mind in work rider races. He has only had three rides this season but he has won two of them with the seven lengths scorer Outoftheordinary his second success for the Bass-Robinson stable.


Racing and Sports

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au