Rachel Venniker is presented with a momento after winning a US$400,000 race over 2100m on the turf on the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Saudi Arabia. The race was the last leg of the course’s 5th International Jockeys Challenge (Picture Credit: The Saudi Cup) 

Rachel Venniker rode in the the King ABdulaziz Racecourse’s fifth International Jockeys Challenge (IJC) today (Friday) and rode a fantastic race on Cliffs Of Fury to win the last leg.

The first two races of the four legged Challenge were on the main dirt track and the second two were on turf.

In the last race Venniker jumped from draw ten in the 2100m turf contest on the N Fawaz-trained five-year-old Time Test gelding Cliffs of Fury. From that difficult draw she managed to get the horse into a perfect one out and one back position early on. However, the horse she was sitting behind was battling to keep up with the leader and she made a race-winning decision to switch Cliffs Of Fury outward into fresh air just before the final turn. The gelding travelled nicely around the turn and she drove him into the lead in the straight with the hands. She gave him a smack at the 250m mark and took a two length lead. However, New Zealand rider Alysha Collett was closing fast on Prefontaine on the outside. Rachel managed to keep her mount going just long enough to hold on by a quarter of a length.

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It was too little too late as far as the overall challenge was concerned because she was not in the points in any of the first  three legs, although she twice missed points-scoring finishes by just one position..

Looking at the names who were behind her in that last leg victory will make a memory to treasure even more meaningful.

Ryan Moore was in third place, Damian Olver was in fourth and the like of Maxime Guyon and last year’s IJC winner Luis Saez were further downfield as well as four times New Zealand champion jockey Lisa Allpress, who was the first lady to ever win a race in Saudi Arabia.

The overall challenge was in fact one by a lady, Maryline Eon from France. Eon won the second leg, having finished second in the first leg.

In the first race over 1600m on dirt Rachel was aboard a horse trained by five times South African champion trainer Geoff Woodruff, the four-year-old No Advantage colt Aedate. She led them into the straight and the horse made a gallant bid to stay on, but faded late to finish a 4,75 length sixth. The race was won by Colombian jockey Camilo Ospina, who has plenty of experience on the course being the retained jockey for King Abdullah Bin Abdullah Aziz Sons. Ospina came from near the back with a fast finish to score.

The second leg won by Eon was over 1400m on dirt and Rachel’s mount never travelled well in this race and finished way back.

The third leg was over 1200m on turf and was won by Luis Saez with Rachel in sixth place.

The challenge is decided on points earned by finishing first through fifth.

Eon earned the $30,000 winner’s share of the $100,000 total prize pool, although last year it was reported the jockeys also took home 15% of any stakes cheque earned. .

Camilo Ospina was second overall and Brazil’s Victoria Mota was third.

Green With Envy winning the Gr 3 Politician Stakes (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Green With Envy shapes up as the one to beat in the R1,5-million SplashOut Cape Derby (Gr 1) over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow. The son of Gimmethegreenlight, out of a mare by the legendary Galileo (Ire), was an emphatic winner of the Politician Stakes (Gr 3) over 1800m a month ago and the further step up in trip should be right up his alley.

Green With Envy was dropped out to the rear of the field in the Politician Stakes but he quickened up smartly over the final 400m to win going away despite conceding chunks of weight all round. Dean Kannemeyer, who has won the Derby on three previous occasions, has always considered Green With Envy to be a colt with Classic potential and he was far from disgraced over 1600m in both the Cape Punters’ Cup (Gr 2) and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr 1), running on strongly from well off the pace on each occasion.

Green With Envy appears much better suited to a greater test of stamina and victory in tomorrow’s SplashOut Derby would place him right near the top of potential 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July winners. Craig Zackey, sporting the colours of Lady Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables, will be in the saddle and he will no doubt give Green With Envy a patient and confident ride as he has done before. Lady Laidlaw last won the Cape Derby in 2013 with Capetown Noir.

On the evidence of their clashes over 1600m in the Cape Punters’ Cup and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas there is nothing to choose between Green With Envy and Hluhluwe. In fact, on each occasion Hluhluwe finished marginally ahead of Green With Envy and is thus officially rated 0,5kgs superior by the Handicappers. Whether that form will translate literally over the extra 400m of the Derby is anybody’s guess but clearly Hluhluwe must be considered a very serious threat to Green With Envy.

Dual Grade 1 winner and only filly in the race, Beach Bomb, comes here off the back of an indifferent run in the Majorca Stakes (Gr 1) but is the highest rated runner in the 9-horse field. Prior to that the daughter of Lancaster Bomber lowered the colours of Princess Calla in the Paddock Stakes (Gr 1) over 1800m and a repeat of that effort could see her troubling her male rivals. To ignore the powerful team of Drakenstein Stud, Candice Bass-Robinson and Aldo Domeyer may be foolhardy but I suspect Beach Bomb may have to take a back seat behind Green With Envy and Hluhluwe.

Rapidash and Coastal Commander finished one-two in the richly endowed Gold Rush over 1600m on WSB Met Day, but they take a steep rise in class here and tackle the distance for the first time. Harajuku was third in the Politician Stakes behind Green With Envy and is now 3kgs worse off which suggests he should be safely held. Infrared has not enjoyed much luck in recent races but the son of Twice Over should relish the Derby trip and he could take home a minor share of the purse.

Given the small field, the pace (or lack thereof) must be of some concern. Clearly, Green With Envy would appreciate an honest gallop allowing him to settle early and use his devastating turn of foot to best advantage. All things being equal, he gets the vote to score at the expense of Hluhluwe and Beach Bomb with Infrared my choice to round out the Quartet.

R600 000 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes (Gr 2) – 1200m:

Thunderstruck, in the care of Sean Tarry, has enjoyed a wonderful Cape Summer Season and he should register this third win of the campaign. After scoring in the Bantry Bay Stakes and the Winchester Cup, Thunderstruck was narrowly beaten by Dyce in the Cape Flying Championship (Gr 1) but in the absence of his conqueror then, the son of Rafeef should resume winning ways.

Surjay, Bereave, Cosmic Highway and Rio Querari all have competitive chances and will keep Thunderstruck honest, but there is no reason to believe they can lower the colours of Tarry’s runner with Richard Fourie aboard.

R250 000 SplashOut Prix Du Cap (Gr 3) – 1400m:

Rascova returns to her favourite trip of 1400m in this very competitive fillies and mares contest and must rate one of the leading lights. Placed in both the Cape Fillies Guineas (Gr 1) and Majorca Stakes (Gr 1) over 1600m, Rascova, who likes to run freely in front, will certainly appreciate the step back in distance. But this is no easy race to win! More than half the field have strong winning claims and luck in running will play a role.

Mrs Geriatrix has not been at her best in the Cape and faces a wide draw. Happy Chance, on the other hand, jumps from pole position and must rate a big chance if one ignores her most recent effort in the Majorca. October Morn never runs a bad race and should not have a problem with the turn or the extra 200m here, particularly as she is drawn in Gate 2.

Shantastic is not well weighted, but she is in super form and could surprise. Ripple Effect won a Feature last time but has more to do in this division while Double Grand Slam warrants respect after finishing third in the Majorca Stakes a month ago. Golden Hostess is classy and very much course and distance suited. She is over-priced at 14/1 and warrants inclusion in all exotic-bet permutations. Asiye Phambili has the ability to win a race of this nature but jumps from a wide gate.

In a very tough race, I am going to side with Rascova to come home ahead of October Morn and Golden Hostess but I will certainly cast my net a lot wider in Pick 6 and Jackpot perms. The Pick 6 features a carryover of R500 000, and the pool is expected to reach R3-million.

R1 000 000 Cape of Good Hope Nursery (Gr 3) – 1200m:

Roman Agent looks a smart horse in the making and came through well to win the Summer Juvenile Stakes on WSB Met Raceday. He will go close to reeling off a hattrick but has plenty to fear from the Azzie-trained Winds Of Change who was beaten less than half-a-length by Roman Agent a month ago. That was a sparkling debut from Winds of Change, and he could well reverse the order with the benefit of that run under his belt.

Vaughan Marshall saddles recent runaway winner One Stripe and the son of One World warrants utmost respect. Stable companion, Lion Rampart, was above himself in the preliminaries last time and can improve on his fifth placing behind Roman Agent and Winds of Change. The impeccably bred Symphony In White caught the eye when winning first-up while Little Ballerina was full value for her 100/1 victory in a Sales’ Race on Met Day.

I am going to side with the progressive Roman Agent but there is no shortage of potential dangers, most notably Winds Of Change.

The first of ten races, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, goes off at 12:05 and the Cape Summer Season draws to a close with the annual Khaya Stables Work Riders vs Jockeys Championship Maiden Plate over 1200m at 17:30. Craig Zackey rides Speed Racer for the sponsors and the son of Querari rates one of the better bets on the card.

Susan Rowett pictured with her superstar racehorse and now broodmare Bela-Bela (Snaith Racing picture taken in 2017)

NHA PRESS RELEASE

NEWLY APPOINTED NATIONAL BOARD DIRECTORS

In terms of Chapter 4 of the Constitution of The National Horseracing Authority the Nominations Committee, consisting of Messrs M Currie, G Bortz, N Nalliah, A Rivalland and R Sewgoolam, has appointed the following candidates to fill the vacant positions on the National Board. The vacant positions are due to the resignations of Prof. I Sanne and Adv. C F van der Merwe SC.

1. Mrs S Rowett in terms of Clause 15.1.1 of the Constitution

Mrs Rowett holds a Master of Jurisprudence degree and a Master of Management degree and is a director of a multinational packaging company.

Mrs Rowett has previously served as a National Board Director from November 2012 until April 2016 when the National Board was restructured after the Constitution of the NHA was amended at a Special General Meeting. Mrs Rowett was again appointed to the National Board on 1 February 2019 when she served as Chairperson from 15 January 2020 until 12 January 2022. Mrs Rowett has also served as Chairperson on various Boards within the Horseracing Industry.

Mrs Rowett is a well-known and well-respected Thoroughbred Racehorse Breeder and Owner and has been actively involved in the Horseracing Industry in South Africa for over forty years and has sound knowledge of the regulation of horseracing.

2. Mr G Ahmed in terms of Clause 15.1.2 of the Constitution

Mr Ahmed holds an Honours degree in Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) and is a registered member of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. Mr Ahmed has held various senior positions, both in operational and traditional financial management roles having worked in large and medium sized businesses across different sectors in both listed and unlisted organisations.

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa welcomes both Mrs Rowett and Mr Ahmed to the National Board.

These appointments are with immediate effect.

Vee Moodley
Chief Executive

Happy Chance has been tipped to win the Gr 3 Splashout Prix du Cap (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Gold Circle

R1
13 TALK TO THE MASTER has finished runner up in both of his career starts and was just touched off in the Cape Racing Sales Slipper in his latest effort. There have been two runners from that formline to have raced and both of them have won proving how strong of a formline it is turning out to be. 4 UN BEL DI has been consistent in all of his starts and his latest run was a solid third in the 2nd leg of the Juvenile Series and should continue his upward trajectory and be competitive once again. 2 ZANTHAR finished well enough on debut to finish second but does meet some tough opponents this time round. 8 WORLDY finished fourth on debut and is expected to improve from that run. Watch the betting for any support for the first timers (Devon Pretorius: 13-4-2-8)

R2
Competitive Fillies Classic field and most of the field arrive in top form and improving with every run. Trainer Brett Crawford has a strong hand with both 5 FATAL GEM and 6 PRINCESS IZZY with nothing much separating them and even dead heated at Durbanville back on the 18th of November. However, there is a slight preference for the former who recently ran in the G3 Politician Stakes against the boys and finished a respectable fourth. 2 RAINBOW LORIKEET is getting better with every start, just like her mother who was quite late when she hit her best form, and quickened up smartly to win her latest start. She is 1,5kgs worse off than Princess Izzy which could turn the form around over this trip. 7 EPIKLEROS is elected to finish ahead of stable companion 1 Summer Lily purely based on the fact she has proven to stay over this distance whereas Summer Lily tries the 1800m for the first time (Devon Pretorius: 5-6-2-7)

R3
What a renewal of The Cape Nursery and the final leg of the Summer Juvenile Series and it looks to be one of the races of the day. The winner of both legs of the series, 10 ROMAN AGENT, has barely put a foot wrong and has won two of his three starts holding a few runners from those formlines. He continues to improve and looks like a serious racehorse in the making but a chance is taken on 6 ONE STRIPE to reverse the form. They faced off in the Trippi Stakes and Roman Agent beat One Stripe 1,95 lengths but that was One Stripe’s debut run and was hopelessly green. With another run under the belt and a facile victor by 6 lengths in his next start, One Stripe could show the improvement to turn the form around. Ignore 13 LION RAMPART’S last start completely and he should bounce back to his best here. 9 WINDS OF CHANGE found some late support on debut and finished runner up to Roman Agent beaten only 0,4 lengths. It doesn’t stop there with CRS Slipper winner 5 Little Ballerina as well as 2 SYMPHONY IN WHITE; 7 HANDSOME PRINCE and 8 BANFF cannot be ignored (Devon Pretorius: 6-10-13-9)

R4
Another competitive field and punters will have to go wide to survive the the first leg of the P6. 3 POMODORO’S JET was just beaten by 0,4 lengths despite finishing fourth and should be in the shake up once again. 5 INNAMORARE came from too far back in his last start but was finishing off his race well. If he sits a little closer to the pace he should be involved. 1 MAGIC VERSE is better than his last start and if he repeats his effort when he beat Get Impressed, he has to be a serious contender. 8 WICCAN WARRIOR’s merit rating has fallen to an appealing mark and is starting to improve. He could be at a big price just for a place bet. 14 FIBONACCI was very unlucky in his last start but does step up in class. Respect for 6 USA’S HOPE; 11 SOLOMON’S SEAL as well as 12 SUN DAZED who will be flying at the finish (Devon Pretorius: 3-5-1-8)

R5
7 ROYAL AUSSIE is weighted to win here despite a below par effort in the WSB Cape Town Met. The drop back to the mile should suit and the drop in class should see him end up in the winners box. 6 FUTURE PRINCE comes in with a light weight of just 51,5kgs. He has had the ideal prep heading into this race and third run after a rest he should be in peak shape. 4 QUASIFORSURE was an unlucky loser in this race last year and should be right there to fight it out once again. 9 PONTE PIETRA was on the wrong side of the track turning for home in his last start and is much better than that run (Devon Pretorius: 7-6-4-9)

R6
1 HAPPY CHANCE was disappointing in the Majorca Stakes after finishing 3rd in the Paddock Stakes and she can be expected to bounce back from gate 1. Based on the Majorca formline, 8 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM is well in to finish in front of 6 RASCOVA as she is 2kgs better off at the weights this time round. Interesting to see Aldo Domeyer opting to ride 2 OCTOBER MORN who won the Sceptre Stakes and is a top sprinter now stepping up to 1400m over stable companion 9 GOLDEN HOSTESS who is returning to form and could be the lurker in the pack (Devon Pretorius: 1-8-6-2)

R7
9 THUNDERSTRUCK looks to be the best bet on the card. He finished second in the Cape Flying Championship and holds all of the runners from that race that he reopposes here. 4 COSMIC HIGHWAY won the G2 Merchants two months ago and then ran in the L’Ormarins Kings Plate over 1600m. He drops back to 1200m and should be the biggest danger to the first selection. 2 SURJAY is never far off the action but struggles to put his head in front when it counts the most. 3 BEREAVE is the defending champion and has found some solid form building up to this race. 8 SILVER FALCON could be the unknown after finishing third in a 1400m and now drops back to a sprint. (Devon Pretorius: 9-4-2-3)

R8
6 GREEN WITH ENVY looks hard to oppose after an impressive victory with top weight in the ‘Derby Trial’ Politician Stakes last month. The step up to 2000m won’t be an issue and he is the horse to beat. 4 BEACH BOMB is the best weighted horse in the race taking on the boys. Her latest effort in the Majorca can be completely ignored and she should bounce back here. 7 HLUHLUWE finished 3rd in the Guineas ahead of Green With Envy but with the step up to ten furlongs, Green With Envy will be better suited to turn that form around. 8 RAPIDASH won the Gold Rush pulling away from his opponents and it’s interesting to see that Jonsson Workwear sponsored jockey, Grant Van Niekerk, has opted to ride Rapidash over Hluhluwe (Devon Pretorius: 6-4-7-8)

R9
8 NORDIC QUEST won a competitive race in her last start and has jumped up just four points in the ratings from that win. She holds off a few runners from that formline but it wouldn’t be surprising to see 13 PINEAPPLEMINTGREEN reverse the form after a strong late run from her. Expect a better run 12 GIRL LIKE US who was unlucky not to have finished closer in that same race and was doing her best work late. 6 MIA’S HARPER is better than her last start and should bounce back to form (Devon Pretorius: 8-13-12-6)
Del

R10
1 SPEED RACER looks hard to beat and presents the perfect opportunity to finally shed the maiden tag after a hat-trick of seconds. 2 NOON DAY GUN looked like a winner in his last start and a win isn’t far away for him. 10 THE US OF A has William Bambiso in the saddle and not the worst of form behind his name. He is however held by Speed Racer from his last start. 9 CHAMPONELLE makes his local debut with some decent KZN form to his name and has the lucky draw of Richard Fourie engaged for the ride. (Devon Pretorius: 1-2-10-9)

Picture credit: wikipedia

Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls previews his Saturday runners at Kempton and Chepstow

• 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls is a Betfair ambassador

• The Ditcheat trainer has 11 runners across meetings at Kempton and Chepstow on Saturday

• Testing ground is expected at both tracks – which is a positive and a negative for Nicholls’ runners

Kempton

1.15 – Largy Poet

He is progressive and won his maiden hurdle easily at Exeter at the end of last month. We are having to run him in a handicap now because there are so few middle distance novice hurdles and I suspect his mark of 127 is on the steep side. But the more rain they get at Kempton the better he will enjoy it

1.50 – Kalif du Berlais

He was bought to be a chaser and could hardly have been more impressive on his first start in this country over hurdles last month at Kempton. He was in control the whole way, jumped fluently and stretched clear for a decisive success. Kalif is very smart, worked great this week and has an obvious chance of defying a 5lbs penalty. We will see how he runs before making any plans about Cheltenham or Aintree.

1.50 – Swift Hawk

Rated 72 on the flat he made a pleasing winning debut for us over hurdles at Taunton at the end of December. But this is a big step up in class for Swift Hawk who would not want too much more rain at Kempton and I wouldn’t be keen on running him if it gets testing.

2.27 – Tahmuras

He ran very well at Exeter 13 days ago before running a bit green and drifting left after the last fence which probably cost him victory. Soft ground will suit Tahmuras who doesn’t have a penalty in a race I always like to target. I’d say he has a nice chance if this race doesn’t come too soon after Exeter.

3.00 – Panjari

He has improved with experience, is growing up all the time, and put up his best performance in cheekpieces when cruising clear at Musselburgh early this month. We found he had a problem with ulcers after a below par run at the same track on New Year’s Day. Panjari is definitely going the right way and must have a leading chance despite carrying a 3lbs penalty at a track which is quite similar to Musselburgh. We are very happy with him.

3.37 – Il Ridoto

I’ve been keen for a while to step up Il Ridoto to three miles and a flat track like Kempton seems the right place to try it. He is always staying on strongly and Harry Cobden is also keen on giving him a go at three miles. It’s not the strongest field of runners for such a valuable pot and if he gets the trip he’d have a big chance.

4.10 – Golden Son

He has been disappointing and has questions to answer after being pulled up on his last two starts. But the ground was totally unraceable at Aintree and he was going all right next time at Newbury until Harry pulled him up because he thought he’d knocked himself after a mistake. But he was fine afterwards so you can put a line through that run. We are trying cheekpieces to help sharpen him up and on the form of his decent run for us at Warwick he would be a big player over an easy two and a half miles.

4.10 – Quel Destin

The plan is for him to run at Chepstow but if that is off he will switch to Kempton.

4.45 – Roman Roy

I was delighted with his racecourse debut three months ago at Wincanton where he led three furlongs out and looked like winning until he was just chinned by the well backed favourite who is unbeaten in two runs. Roman Roy has a nice chance to go one better provided conditions at Kempton don’t get too testing.

Chepstow

3.08 – Monmiral

I’ve been pulling my hair out with Monmiral because things haven’t gone to plan for him as we hoped over fences. So he is back over hurdles for the rest of the season and we are hoping that cheekpieces can spark a revival which can see him qualify for the Pertemps Final by finishing in the first four.

3.43 – Quel Destin

He is also declared at Kempton just in case Chepstow is called off. Quel Destin is a legend of a horse. He won five times as a juvenile for us including the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at this track in December, 2018, is still going strong aged nine and is on a hat-trick after winning at Chepstow seven weeks ago. He loves it round Chepstow and although the trip of two miles is arguably on the short side for him, with the ground likely to be borderline unraceable he is sure to be staying on strongly.

https://www.betfair.com/betting/horse-racing/s-7

Mid Winter Wind has been selected to win the 6th race (JC Photos)

R1  1 CYMRIC made a good debut when finishing a 6,25 length second to the exciting Pistol Pete. 5 MOUNT PINATUBO is by Erupt out of Gr 3 winning Philanthropist mare She’s A Giver 3 I BELONG is by the talkd about new sire Soqrat out of an Australian-bred All Too Hard mare 2 GEAR SHIFT is by Canford Cliffs out of a twice-winning Var mare who won over 1000m on debut (1-5-3-2)

R2  4 KINDRED HEART has run two good races and can go one better than last time 1 FALCON HILL is by Soqrat out of a Silvano mare who won two out of her first four starts and her first foal was the Listed winner Vision Of Wonder 3 GOLDEN CHANDELIER has not been disgraced in decent fields but the number one draw is a bit of a concern 2 GAELIC DANCER is by Querari out of six-time-winning Listed-winning Danehill Dancer mare who has produced eight runners and five winners but no black type runners (4-1-3-2)

R3  7 TOO LATE MY MATE made a good debut over 1160m and will relish the step up in trip from a fair draw 3 MOTHER CITY made a fair debut and will also like the step up in trip but she has a tricmky draw to overcome 1 INTRO has run some fair races but has 3,50 lengths to find on Too Late My Mate 2 LADY OF TIBET made a fair debut and is drawn well over a step up in trip which will suit (7-3-1-2)

R4  1 GOLDEN SICKLE is in fine form and goes for a fifth win in her sixth start in Jo’Burg 2 TROPPO VELOCE is full of talent too and is on the up so would not be a surprise winner 3 FLOWERBOMB has abiluity and can chase the first two choices home 5 ON CUE could earn a cheque at best (1-2-3-5)

R5  3 WESTERN WISHES made a fair comeback from a long layoff and should have come on from the run 1 LOLLAPALOOZA is showed signs of a return to form last time and is drawn well 4 HEART PEAKS is drawn in pole and is suited to this trip 9 EMPRESS GAME has shown ability but is not sure to enjoy 1400m and has a tough draw (3-1-4-9)

R6  9 MID WINTER WIND looks to have class and should enjoy the step up in trip 2 LAGUNA VERDE is an enigmatic sort but on his day is classy as he proved in his last race 3 TEXAS RED’s form over this trip has been franked and he has a fair draw 8 BRAVE VIKING enjoys this trip but has a tough draw (9-2-3-8)

R7  1 LUCKY LAD is full of class and that should enable him to overcome a seven month layoff 4 CULLINAN BLUE is a talented sprinter who should have more to offer 7 ONE FELL SWOOP is in fine form and should make his presence felt 5 WYZEACT has plenty of speed and some class and should be in the shake up (1-4-7-5)

R8  6 TWICE AS WILD is in good form and only has to overcome a two point raise for his win last time 7 CAN’T CATCH ME has a form chance from a nice high draw 5 WRITTEN IN STONE is still competitive at the age of eight and can do especially well if ridden correctly 3 VAN MEIJEL is capable of winning off an opening handicap mark of 69, but he does have a number one draw against him (6-7-5-3)

R9  6 NETTLETON can continue to progress and can make it three in a row with second time blinkers on 7 WOMEN OF FAME should be right there although she was raised two points for her second last time 5 VIRGIN RIVER has a lot of speed and can use it to overcome the number one draw and over this drop in trip she should make a bold bid. 11 LAW OF SUCCESS is in good form and has a nice high draw (6-7-5-11)

The Alan Greeff-trained three-year-old filly Three Rocks became the first stakes winner for sire Heavenly Blue when winning the Listed Lady’s Pendant over 1200m under Richard Fourie. Fourie and Greeff had earlier combined to win the first leg of the East Cape Sophomore Challenge, the Listed Ibhayi Stakes over 1400m with the Global View gelding Fairy Knight. Both feature winners were bred by Ascot Stud (Pauline Herman Photography) 

Apprentice Kobeli Lihaba scored the first treble of his career on the Fairview turf today, two of them for Kelly Mitchley.

Gavin Smith scored a four-timer, two of them ridden by Muzi Yeni, while the two features on the day were both won by the combination of Richard Fourie and Alan Greeff.

Lihaba goes to 36 wins for the season at a strike rate of 12.04% and leads the national apprentice championship by 20 from joint second Trent Mayhew and Siyanda Sosibo, who are both on 16.

Richard Fourie is now on 184 wins at 21.22%.

Yeni is on 118 at 13.44%.

Smith is on 80 wins at 12.29%.

Greeff is on 70 wins at 14.49%.

Lisa Joy Allpress ONZM (née Mumby😉 is a New Zealand jockey. She was the first female jockey in New Zealand to reach 1000 wins.

Allpress was born in the mid 1970s.

She was apprenticed to trainer Kevin Gray at Waverley. Her first race ride was on Miss Molly in a maiden at Matamata on 23 October 2002. She recorded her first win the next day on Rosafe at Wanganui. Her first Group Win was on We Can Say It Now in the Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham on 4 December 2010. As of March 2022, Allpress has also ridden successfully in Singapore, Japan and Malaysia. Her win in Saudi Arabia was the first by a female jockey.

She won her first New Zealand jockey premiership in 2012, achieving the same result again in 2016, 2019 and 2020. In 2013, she became the first female jockey in New Zealand to reach 1000 wins. As of 2 March 2022, she had ridden 1744 winners.

In the 2021 New Year Honours, Allpress was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the racing industry.

Allpress has returned from a serious injury which required a shoulder reconstruction.

She is determined to reach 2000 career wins. In July last year was on 1855 and has been riding since then so must be in sight of that target.