Clive Robinson
At time of writing, jockey Muzi Yeni was carded to ride ruling favourite Safe Passage in South Africa’s top race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, at Greyville on Saturday 2 July.
Whatever happens there, he looks to have more big chances in the following Wednesday meeting at the same venue.
There is not a lot of form to go on in Race 1 and Yeni could take control of the race aboard Paul Matchett-trained Top Sail. This Master Of My Fate gelding wasn’t far off impressive Taikonaut and recent fast-finishing winner Without Equal in his penultimate and that form could prove to be very strong. Add to that a handy barrier position and Yeni could make them all chase shadows in the Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m.
Yeni’s next best could be Quest For The Best, who may represent a bit of value in his heat. This one looked like winning a few races for trainer Duncan Howells but he has been tough to get right and as such moved on to Gareth Van Zyl.
In two races for the new yard he jumped from wide draws with a claiming apprentice up and couldn’t build up the right rhythm. Given a plum gate, no chances are being taken with Yeni booked for the job at hand. It is however an open race with both Father’s Frost and High Legislation impressing last time out. Eachway on Quest For The Best and swingers and trifectas with the latter two are recommended.
Quest For The Best gets the chance to redeem himself in Race 7, a 1200m MR68 open handicap.
Yeni could also be worth following in Race 4, 5 and 8.
He rides Catch The Tune in Race 4 which does appear a wide open race. Catch The Tune, however, takes a steep drop in class after racing in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby and having matured could now dominate upfront on the synthetic surface.
Super Excited (Race 5) has been running for the longest time against the best. Since November last year, he has taken his place in seven consecutive top-line features, and he hasn’t run badly at all. He could be anything on the poly and would be thoroughly deserving.
Finally, after having finished runner-up in three of his last four, Capetown Affair could eventually visit the winner’s enclosure at the end of Race 8. Muzi has ridden him for a third previously and got closer in second last time but this could be his day. He must surely take advantage of having drawn gate one yet again!
