The riders in the inaugural running of the Okapi Ladies International at the LKP meeting last season (Picture: Troy Finch)
Turf Talk
The R200,000 Okapi Ladies International over 1000m will be the first race on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day.
Kelsey Mayhew Munger will be flying in from Canada and Milica Dusanovic will be flying in from the U.K.
Milica rode in the Magnolia Cup at the Glorious Goodwood meeting.
The Magnolia Cup was the inspiration for the Okapi Ladies International.
Victoria Lerena, wife of top jock Gavin, is a former professional jockey so is sure to get the most out of her mount. However, she did ride in the race last year and only finished tenth.
Danielle Rivalland, the daughter of trainer Tony Rivalland, finished second last season and is back again this season.
Unfortunately, last season’s winner, O’Meara Rusike, was unable to get off work to fly over from the U.K. She works for top trainer Ralph Beckett.
Helen Richardson, third last year, is back and so is Kim Meaker.
The others will all be riding in the race for the first time.
An interesting rider among them is KZN-based Wilmien Fourie, who has ambitions of becoming a fully fledged jockey. She has a 100% strike rate in race riding having won the only workrider’s race she took part in.
Kayleigh Oakes will be getting sound advice before the race being the girlfriend of jockey Wesley Marwing.
The list of riders is shown below:
Lily-Rose Jamieson
