Keagan shows off his bonus cheque at Winning Form HO on Friday
With an unassailable lead in the SA Champion Jockey title chase for the 2022/23 season, Hong Kong bound Winning Form-sponsored rider Keagan de Melo received his R200 000 championship bonus cheque at Winning Form HO in Umhlanga on Friday.
Keagan has nine rides today, and along with some of his sponsored colleagues, provided thoughts on their chances.
Keagan de Melo
Race 1: OUTLAW KING (1) – He hasn’t reproduced his Cape form, but he is doing much better at home. I am expecting him to be at his best in this race.
Race 3: COSMIC HIGHWAY (1) – He is doing very well at home. He has lost a bit of form, but I do feel that he ran on well in his last start and he was coming back to himself. I feel he is on the up.
Race 4: DAWNOFANEWDAY (5) – Tough field and she has never been tested in these types of races. I am hoping that she can get some Black Type before going to stud.
Race 5: DOWN BY THE RIVER (8) – I don’t know much about him, but his last win was very good. He controlled the pace, went quite hard but he still quickened. With a bit of luck, he should be right there.
Race 6: GIMME A PRINCE (4) – He is my best ride on the day and is doing very well at home. He will be very hard to beat.
Race 7: BLACK THORN (11) – His last run was very good, and he has come back to himself. The second run after a break is always a concern, but he put up a very good gallop the other day. He is doing very well at home.
Race 8: DAVE THE KING (1) – He is a nice galloping horse and the 1800m will suit. If he gets a soft lead, he could be involved at the finish.
Race 9: LET’S GO NOW (2) – I don’t know much about the filly, but she still looks to be immature. Tough race and this run will show us how good she really is.
Race 10: MR MASTER STARTER (1) – This is the right race for him. He is doing very well at home and this run will tell us if the 1000m if too short. He does have enough speed to hold his own. It is not a very strong field and I will make him one of the horses to beat.
Cole Dicken
Race 2: CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY (8) – Both her career victories have been on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville straight course. If she can overcome the awkward draw of eight, I make her a big runner.
Race 10: HOOVES OF TROY (3) – It is quite a strong field. I have a good draw of three and he tends to hang inwards. If I can stick to the rail and be up with the pace, I feel that we can finish in the placings.
Richard Fourie
Race 1: MOUNT PILATUS (3) – He meets a strong field and I feel the horse to beat would be Outlaw King. He ran a bit green last time out and quickened up nicely, almost winning the race.
Race 4: BLESS MY STARS (7) – She ran a very good race in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. She has an awkward draw to overcome, but she is in very good nick and has every chance of winning this race.
Race 5: LUCKY LAD (13) – He is a really nice horse. The obvious concern is that he is jumping from a wide draw, but I think he has all the ability in the world to make it up in the straight.
Race 6: ISIVUNGUVUNGU (9) – He is a smart horse but is much better over 1000m. Taking on a horse like Gimme A Prince over 1200m is no easy task, but I’m sure Peter Muscutt has prepped him nicely for this race.
Race 7: FUTURE PEARL (3) – He is a very good stayer and jumps from a lovely draw. He is out at the weights, but he is a rising star and I think he will just about win the Gold Cup.
Race 8: PRINCESS CALLA (10) – She is a real champion. The obvious concern is her awkward draw, but she is strong mare and I wouldn’t leave her out as she is quite special.
Race 9: EGYPTIAN MAU (9) – She was unfortunate last time as she got caught deep and still held on for a good third. I got lucky to get this ride and let’s see if we can pull off a nice win from this filly.
Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Race 4: VIRGINIA SWEET (2) – She meets a strong field and from a good draw of two, I am hoping for a positive run.
Race 5: HOTARUBI (4) – He seems to be a nice sort. It is a competitive race, but he is drawn nicely and I think he will run well.
Race 7: SEA MASTER (12) – He has a wide draw to contend with, but he is in a good space and I feel that he will run a very good race.
Race 10: IPHIKO (12) – She will love the 1000m and she is probably my best ride on the day.
