After winning the Vodacom July Durban jockey S'manga Khumalo is hoping to add the Gold Cup to his list of victories.
|||Durban - Durban jockey S'manga Khumalo is fast galloping his way into the country’s league of best jockeys.
The KwaMashu-born jockey, who is still on a high from his history-making Vodacom Durban July triumph, is back in the city on Saturday to compete in the R1.25 million Gold Cup, which with three other Grade 1 races, brings an end to the Champions Season at Greyville on Saturday.
Khumalo will be riding Gold Onyx.
Last weekend Khumalo stole the show at Turffontein, riding five winners in a row. He followed his dazzling performance with a further four winners at Ngong in Kenya on Sunday.
However, a composed Khumalo, the first black jockey to win the country’s richest horse race when he brought home Heavy Metal, said on Friday he did want to get carried away by his victories.
“I can only hope to repeat what I did a few weeks ago but I don’t want to be over-confident,” he said, describing Gold Onyx as a reliable and stable horse.
Saturday’s programme boast some top-class racing and could determine the outcome of the Equus Awards, racing’s Oscars that will be announced in a fortnight.
With the favourites as long as 7-1, there is money to be made if you can find the right combinations. The meeting has also been boosted by a Pick 6 carryover pool and the pot for the exotic bet is expected to top R4m.
The superstitious have delved into the record books and number 4, Shogunnar, features prominently. The numbers of the last three winners of the Gold Cup have been 4, 6, 6.
Shogunnar trainer Gavin van Zyl has an enviable record in big races and, although Shogunnar is probably the best one-time winner in racing, he does have the credentials to land the country’s biggest prize for staying horses.
Current favourite is the Duncan Howells-trained grey Knight To Remember who ran a cracking trial in the Gold Vase on July Day.
Mike de Kock saddles two lively contenders on Saturday in second favourite Patriotic Rebel and Canterbury Tale.
The Gold Cup is off at 4.20pm.
Meanwhile, while it won’t be much of a fashion hub like the July, Greyville racecourse will play host to 17 Durban charities which will be fundraising.
The charities will be offering hospitality packages.
Gold Circle will also be giving away three cars.
Independent on Saturday