“It looks like Muzi Yeni has fired us. But we are very pleased to have Craig Zackey aboard our champion Got The Greenlight for his seasonal debut on Saturday. Equally exciting is that Craig is very chuffed to have been engaged and he has been pleased with the work the big boy has shown.”
Charismatic veteran trainer Joey Soma always has a chirp and a friendly word for the media and his initial response to the Sporting Post’s query as to why his multiple Gr1 winning flagbearer has seen a change of rider for Saturday’s Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge – Yeni has ridden him six times on the trot for two Gr1 successes – was a typical show of his very welcome transparency.
Talented Craig Zackey is the new man in the hot seat (Pic- Chase Liebenberg)
“To answer the question – we haven’t heard from Muzi since Got The Greenlight ran fourth in the Champions Cup behind Jet Dark at the end of last season. It’s a free world and we have a new jockey on board. Simple as that!” said the top conditioner as he pointed out that his 5yo entire was ‘no good thing’ but had started last season in grand style when pipped by MK’S Pride in the Hawaii Stakes when running fresh.
That afternoon MK’S Pride had received 5kgs from Soma’s star and on Saturday the premium is reduced to 1,5kgs – and it’s over 50m further. Match fitness favours the Paul Peter runner.
“Got The Greenlight has been working well and it’s a really nice race to win. However it is slightly short of his best and he has been off for over two and a half months. So all we want to see is him running on as we gear him up for a tilt at the Summer Cup at the end of November.”
1st R187500, 2nd R60000, 3rd R30000, 4th R15000, 5th R7500
#ThisIsRacing JOBURG SPRING CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
For all horses at Weight for age + Penalties
WFA: 3yrs-8kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 5 | Got The Greenlight | 60 | 126 | T A | Craig Zackey | Joe Soma | |
| 2 | 4 | Mk’s Pride | 58.5 | 120 | A | Warren Kennedy | Paul Peter | |
| 3 | 8 | ExpressFromTheUS | 58 | 122 | A | Marco V’Rensburg | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 4 | 3 | Mr Flood | 58 | 122 | A | Denis Schwarz | Lucky Houdalakis | |
| 5 | 7 | Tierra Del Fuego | 58 | 114 | A | Lyle Hewitson | Sean Tarry | |
| 6 | 6 | Chijmes | 58 | 110 | AM | Raymond Danielson | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 7 | 2 | Copper Mountain | 57.5 | 121 | AM | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 8 | 11 | Pamushana’s Pride | 57.5 | 116 | T A | S’manga Khumalo | Alec Laird | |
| 9 | 1 | Puerto Manzano (ARG) | Scratched | 57.5 | 113 | A | CARD SCRATCHING | J A Janse van Vuuren |
| 10 | 9 | Bingwa | 57.5 | 111 | BA | Chase Maujean | Dorrie Sham | |
| 11 | 10 | Dockofthebay | 50 | 97 | A | *Joshwin Solomons | Sean Tarry | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (5,11) (6,7,9) | ||||||||
In the fairer sex equivalent, the Gr 2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge, Sean Tarry’s cracking Capetown Noir filly Under Your Spell looks tough to beat. She really and truly caught the eye when winning her last start over Saturday’s track and trip.
Despite jumping outwards at the start, Under Your Spell raced from a handy position that day and cruised clear of the opposition to win under the hands.
1st R156250, 2nd R50000, 3rd R25000, 4th R12500, 5th R6250
JOBURG SPRING F & M CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
For Fillies and Mares at Weight for age + Penalties
WFA: 3yrs-8kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 3 | Victoria Paige | 60 | 104 | AM | Craig Zackey | Sean Tarry | |
| 2 | 5 | Thumbs Up | 59.5 | 104 | AM | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 3 | 6 | Miss Elegance | 59.5 | 102 | A | Denis Schwarz | Lucky Houdalakis | |
| 4 | 2 | Under Your Spell | 54 | 121 | T A | Lyle Hewitson | Sean Tarry | |
| 5 | 4 | Big Burn | 52 | 108 | A | Warren Kennedy | Paul Peter | |
| 6 | 1 | Perfect Witness | 52 | 97 | A | Ryan Munger | Candice Dawson | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (1,4) | ||||||||
The first race at Turffontein on Saturday is off at 12h50.
Read more – click on the cover of the Sprint
