Muzi Yeni will have to defy the odds to cling on to his lead in the SA Jockeys Championships.

Yeni rode an impressive 22 winners in August, eight clear of the joint second-placed jockeys Richard Fourie, Ryan Munger and Anton Marcus.

However, on only one occasion this decade has the log leader in August held on to win the championships.

That happened in the 2013/2014 season when S’Manga Khumalo rode 25 winners in August and went on to be crowned champion.

Last season Craig Zackey led in August on 16 winners and Lyle Hewitson, who had 12 winners in that first month, went on to be champion.

In 2016 Andrew Fortune led in the first month on 27 and eventual champion Anthony Delpech was eight behind on 13.

In 2015 Yeni led on 21 and eventual champion Khumalo was 15 behind on six winners at that stage.

In 2014 Piere Strydom led on 21 in August and eventual champion Gavin Lerena was on 14 winners.

In 2012 Khumalo led on 16 and was only one clear of the eventual champion Piere Strydom.

In 2011 Yeni led on 15 and eventual champion Anton Marcus was on 12 winners in that first month.

In 2010 Fortune led in August with 15 winners and eventual champion Anton Marcus was at that stage on eleven winners.

The bookmakers have not yet priced up on the Champion Jockey title race this season, but it looks wide open.

Richard Fourie would possibly be the favourite as he aims to ride over 200 winners and before yesterday’s Scottsville meeting was six behind the 24 winners of Yeni.

By David Thiselton