The Racing. It’s A Rush – International Jockeys’ Challenge (IJC) adds a bit of spice to this weekend’s racing menu with the country’s best jockeys, captained by Gavin Lerena, taking on an international team headed by England’s Hayley Turner.
The IJC is contested over two racemeetings with the first leg consisting of four races run at Fairview today (R5-8) and the second at Turffontein tomorrow (R4, R5, R8, R9). Sandwiched in between tomorrow’s four races is the all-important Sansui Summer Cup pointer, the Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes.
Last year’s winner, Judicial, went on to finish third in the Summer Cup and is back to defend his crown. Trainer Tyronne Zackey appears to be using a similar routine this season running the improving five-year-old fresh. Judicial has his work cut out with top weight and a wide draw but it’s worth noting that his last run, a Pinnacle Stakes win over course and distance back in July, was assessed by handicappers as a career best.
Disco Al is six now but trainer Joey Ramsden’s decision to take him up north could see further improvement yet from the son of Captain Al who has a habit of leaving it late. The Turffontein standside track should be ideal and Disco Al was finishing best of all in his prep run behind St Tropez last time out.
Another to impress behind St Tropez last time out (1800m Pinnacle on the Turffontein inside track) was the lightly raced Deo Juvente. The Geoff Woodruff yard have been patient with this four-year-old Trippi gelding and he comes into this race with a similar profile to that of Judicial entering last year’s race.
Ahlaam finished ahead of both Deo Juvente and Disco Al last time out but, despite being well in on official ratings here, the four-year-old filly is worse off at the weights with those two this time around. The daughter of Asiatic Boy is, however, still on the up and could be a danger if allowed to dictate.
It’s a competitive race and a good case can be made for many of the remaining carded runners. But the most intriguing of these could be the recently gelded Prince Of Orange. The four-year-old disappointed in features last season but caught the eye in his first start as a gelding last month, a close up second to the progressive Toro Rosso over a too short 1450m.
A chance is taken on Prince Of Orange who is probably aimed at bigger races to come but is most likely better than his current rating (94) with healthy respect for Disco Al and Deo Juvente.
By Brendan Pather
Picture: Gavin Lerena
