S’manga Khumalo (Captain), Andrew Fortune, Juan Paul van der Merwe and Karl Zechner will represent the Highveld Hawks, while the Cape Eagles team comprises Grant van Niekerk (Captain), Aldo Domeyer, Teaque Gould and Corne Orffer.

The competition comprises two Maiden Plates, a MR 66 Handicap and a MR 80 Handicap.

To give all riders an equal chance of scoring points, the horses were seeded by a panel of experts into four categories, best to worst, and the riders from each team drew a horse from each of the four categories.

Points are awarded according to where the jockey finishes in the race: 1^st – 20; 2^nd – 16; 3^rd – 14; 4^th – 12 – 5^th – 10; 6^th – 8; 7^th – 6; 8^th – 5; 9^th – 4; 10^th – 3; 11^th – 2; 12^th – 1. A rider will receive seven points if he does not have a ride.

The Rider Cup kicks off in Race 4, a Maiden Plate, and those who side with the Cape Falcons should not go far wrong in this 1400m sprint.

Domeyer looks hard to beat on Gordon’s Cungee, even though Duncan Howells’ charge got pipped into fifth by Liberty Market in a race won by Gallic Fire last month. Liberty Market (Delpech) is 2.5kg worse off and should battle to confirm the form.

Gordon’s Cungee is way overdue to shed her maiden tag, having placed in six of 11 career starts. She is not that well drawn but should have enough in hand to win.

Power House (Fortune) could be second best, while Shrike (Gould) has scope for improvement in only her third career start and could also place.

Zechner could earn maximum points for the Highveld Hawks in Race 6, a 1200m Maiden Plate, in which he teams up with Escovitch. Trainer Kom Naidoo’s runner has been knocking on the door recently and could hold on this time. Very Vary (Marcus), Kimberley (Van Niekerk) and Founding Father (Van der Merwe) could fill the frame.

Team mates Marcus and De Melo could fight out the finish of race 7 over 1950m. De Melo on Andre Nel-trained Silver Rose get the tentative nod, but his mount is having his first run out the maiden ranks.

Marcus’s mount Wealthy got his first win on the board in April this year and has placed second in both starts since. He warrants utmost respect. Horses for the Quartet include In The Moment (Orffer), Starrett City (Van der Merwe) and Caprivi (Delpech).

Shogun is on the upgrade and could give Zechner and the Highveld Hawks another win in Race 8 over 1200m. The Dennis Drier-trained three-year-old won his second career start well and need only repeat that run to feature. MacDuff, Black Tractor, Albert and Panza are others worth considering.

There is a R200,000 Pick 6 carryover to this meeting and the pool could swell as high as R2 million.

Nicci Garner for TABnews

Scottsville’s racemeeting on Sunday will be full of intrigue as it features the Interprovincial Rider Cup between three teams of four jockeys, the KZN Falcons led by Anthony Delpech, the Highveld Hawks captained by S’Manga Khumalo and the Cape Eagles with Grant van Niekerk at the helm.

In race one of the day the Dennis Drier-trained Indian Tractor improved second time out and, being less exposed, can confirm the course and distance form with the main danger Baron Bellet. Exclusively Trendy is the one to watch among the first-timers.

In the second race Lady Penrhyn, thought good enough by Drier to be taken to Cape Town earlier this season, has come down to a competitive merit rating and has her third run after a layoff.

She’s A Fortress has excellent gatespeed and is capable of kicking on, so should enjoy the current fast conditions. Shezaleader is always a threat over this course and distance. Cosmic Burst should enjoy the step down in trip. Royal Kaitrina is a capable sort and always has to be considered.

The third is a weak maiden over 1600m and Mambo makes most appeal, despite a wide draw, as he moved up well over 1950m last time before losing on objection and might enjoy the step down in trip. Roy’s Dispren ran an improved race over this distance on the poly last time and is drawn well. Reserve runner Captain At Sea will be a big runner if making it into the field, while improvement might be seen from all of Dynasty gelding Filoli, who returns from a seven month layoff, Silvano gelding Viento and Bankable gelding Vested Interest.

The fourth is the first leg of the Rider Cup and in this weak maiden over 1400m Aldo Domeyer could score for the Cape Eagles aboard Gordon’s Cungee, who is improving and is over an ideal trip, although the wide draw is a concern. Liberty Market with Antony Delpech up for the KZN Falcons and Power Horse with Andrew Fortune up for the Highveld Hawks also have tricky draws to overcome too, but have both shown enough to be factors. Dundrum and Shrike are two others to consider.

Aldo Domeyer

The fifth is the second leg of the Rider Cup and Escovitch has been knocking on the door so Karl Zechner of the Highveld Hawks could score over a suitable course and distance. Very Vary was caught wide on the poly last time over 1400m and might appreciate both the step down in trip and the straight, so could score some points for Anton Marcus of the KZN Falcons. Chicago Beat was slow away on debut and never showed, but being a R1 million purchase by Silvano is entitled to improve enough to score some points for Domeyer.

The sixth is a MR 82 Handicap over 1600m and Mountain Master can do better than last time, so can score over a suitable trip off a one point lowered merit rating. New Hampshire enjoys Scottsville and is distance suited, so could make it two on the trot with the same 4kg apprentice up from a plum draw. The consistent Cat In Command is course and distance suited and drawn well so should go close despite carrying a welter burden. Saint Marco returns from a seven month layoff but is talented, drawn in pole  and Delpech is an eye-catching booking. Night Shadow was a July entry so is highly thought of and has been effective over this trip before, although the wide draw is a concern and he also has 62kg to shoulder.

The seventh is the third leg of the Rider Cup and in this MR66 Handicap over 1950m topweight Wealthy looks the one to beat as the form of his last two runs over 1800m and 2400m respectively have worked out well and he is well drawn under Marcus. Silver Rose caught the eye when winning his maiden over 1600m and he looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip and should go close from a decent draw under Keagan de Melo of the Falcons. Starrett City caught the eye too when winning his maiden on the poly over this trip and can’t be ignored despite a wide draw.

The eighth is a  the last leg of the Rider Cup, a MR 80 handicap over 1200m, and Fortune could score on the talented Singh Is King, who will relish the step down to this trip and has his third run after gelding off a six point lowered merit rating. Black Tractor has his third run after a rest and gelding and if bouncing back to his best Cape Town form should go close under Marcus. Hip Hop Dancer has won over course and distance before and has come down to an attractive merit rating.

The last is a MR 66 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and Seventh Moment could be the one to side with as she went close over course and distance last time out with this 4kg claimer up and seems to have come into her own. Kingsview could score with a 4kg claimer up off just a two point higher mark than her win over course and distance two runs ago.  Roy’s Zaire could earn as she was still green when showing pace and staying on to win her maiden over course and distance.

David Thiselton

Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie team up for all eight races at Kenilworth tomorrow.  There is no formal agreement – as there was in the heady Legislate days – but the combination have a number of good chances.

The best is probably Glorious Goodwood in the last but they start off with two forecast favourites and Pride Rock has obvious claims in the opening Maiden Juvenile. However his outside draw is a major negative.

Pure Logic comes into it and Fire In The Belly has an even better chance when his most recent run is best ignored. “Things just didn’t work out for him that day – he is not a 1 200m horse and they went very fast,” says Mike Robinson. “I think he will enjoy this mile.”

Hernando’s Promise is going to start at a decent price – possibly an each way one – and he is suggested as the value bet. He was considered good enough to run in the Langerman and, while he lost valuable ground at the start, he had shown some useful form previously.

Snaith’s Figure Of Grey is forecast odds-on for race two but Sign Your Name has shown more and makes more appeal. Again you have to discount the horse’s last run when she lost a good two lengths after rearing in the pens. “You can put a line through it,” says Greg Ennion (pictured). “It was the day when it rained and she ran green as if she didn’t know what to do.”

Imperial Dancer stands out in race three, he is rated over 4kg clear of the rest and has gone close in his last two. He should win but don’t ignore Stormy City. The Bass horses are in good form and Grant van Niekerk is riding like a man inspired.

Stormy City divided Mega Secret and Hero Quest over this mile at the end of May but blotted his copybook last time, finishing plumb last after being bumped at the off.

“He was then chased up from a seven draw,” recalls Candice Robinson. “He will win soon but he needs things to go his way.”

Prudence Prevails is expected to start favourite to come good at the 13^th attempt in the Quinte Plus Maiden but you would expect at least one of the three two-year-olds (all are from top stables) to beat her despite their being 4kg worse than weight-for-age. Colorado Rose is selected even though she has been absent since March and has to overcome a ten draw.

Michael Clower

Punta Arenas (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dennis Drier was thrilled with the win of the “old man” Punta Arenas under Keagan de Melo in Saturday’s Gr 3 Delta Airlines 2200 at the Vodacom Durban July meeting on Saturday and will enter him for both the Gr 1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup and the Gr 2 eLan Property Group Gold Cup.

Drier said the way the seven-year-old Silvano gelding switched off in the running, he should stay the 3200m Gold Cup trip.

Drier said Sail, who ran a fine third in the Gr 2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper on Saturday, was on track for the Gr 1 Thekwini.

Drier’s two-year-old Mauritzfontein-owned Var filly La Revere was impressive over the Scottsville 1000m under Sean Veale two weeks ago.

Drier said he had not discussed her future with Jessica Slack of Mauritzfontein yet, but was eyeing the Gr 2 Debutante over 1200m on Gold Cup day for her.

The Drier-trained Count Dubois filly Anime might also become a candidate for that race considering the good impression she created over 1000m at Scottsville yesterday when wining a maiden by 4,75 lengths. Her owners Mike Fullard and James Drew also own Punta Arenas.

David Thiselton

The 2016 Rider Cup, an Inter-Provincial contest between leading jockeys from the Highveld; the Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, is set to take place at Scottsville Racecourse this coming Sunday, 10 July 2016.

Gold Circle extended invitations to riders based on their positions on the National Jockeys’ Log as at the end of May and, the following will make up the three teams:-

THE HIGHVELD HAWKS

S’MANGA KHUMALO (Captain)

Champion jockey elect, S’manga has been helped in his cause for his second championship by being attached to the all-powerful Sean Tarry yard. Being able to ride at bottom weight has helped his cause. He was the first Black rider to win the Vodacom Durban July when scoring aboard Heavy Metal for Tarry in 2013. He has ridden over 1000 winners after starting his first year as an apprentice with a blank. He rode 8 winners the following year before blossoming with 50 winners in his third year. With three weeks of the season to run S’manga has the championship sewn up with over 220 winners and is one of the most sought after riders on the circuit.

ANDREW FORTUNE

Former champion Andrew Fortune disappears off the radar every now and then but the enigmatic jockey has been hard at work this term having ridden over 160 winners. Now based on the Highveld he has chased around the country for winners and still boasts one of the finest “pair of hands” in the business. He has ridden in over 1000 races this season with only S’manga Khumalo and Muzi Yeni having more rides.

JP VAN DER MERWE

“JP” as he is fondly known is a natural light weight rider and one of the hardest working riders in the country having ridden over 1000 horses this season. He got his big break back in January when called on to deputise for an injured Weichong Marwing on Smart Call in the J&B Met and promptly won the biggest race of his career. He is rapidly closing in on 100 winners for the season.

KARL ZECHNER

Karl will forever be remembered as the jockey that partnered the peerless Abashiri to victory in the Triple Crown. Currently sixth on the National Jockey’s log, this will be the first time that he has ridden 100 winners in a season. Based on the Highveld he is well supported by leading trainer Michael Azzie.

THE CAPE EAGLES

GRANT VAN NIEKERK (Captain)

One of the country’s most talented young riders, he was snapped up by the powerful Mike Bass yard as stable rider a year out of his apprenticeship. He has ridden over 100 winners for the past three seasons and is the regular rider of multiple Gr1 winning filly Inara.

ALDO DOMEYER

J&B Met winning jockey Aldo Domeyer is rapidly closing in on riding 100 winners in a season for the first time, breaking his record of 96 two years back. One of the Western Cape’s most sought after riders, he was aboard the Yogas Govender-trained Martial Eagle in the 2013 Met. Aldo had a rocky start to his riding career, having left the Jockeys Academy after five months, but four years later he was returned and became champion apprentice.

TEAQUE GOULD

Teaque rides in the competitive cauldron of Port Elizabeth racing where it is difficult for local jockeys to make their mark as the country’s top riders more often than not snaffle the best mounts. He rode 50 winners as an apprentice and in two years out of his time he has ridden another 37. This season he has ridden over 23 winners and is the leading PE-based jockey.

CORNE ORFFER

Scored his first winner as an apprentice aboard World Party in 1998 for Ashburton-based trainer Des Egdes. He then moved to the Highveld where he was apprenticed to Ormond Ferraris and then Michael Azzie. Orffer has had a rollercoaster ride through injury but did well in a recent stint in Mauritius before returning to South Africa as replacement for an injured Glen Hatt who at the time was Brett Crawford’s first call rider. After Hatt was forced to retire Orffer took over permanently. A natural light weight rider he has a great pair of hands.

THE KZN FALCONS

ANTHONY DELPECH (Captain)

A veteran of the saddle, Delpech recently ended a lengthy spell as stable jockey to the powerful Mike de Kock yard and now rides freelance with great success. He has racked up over 2900 winners since starting out in 1986 and in the 1998/99 season set the South African record for number of winner’s in a season with 336. In the 2002/3 season he won 292 races at a strike rate of 22%. He has ridden 50 Grade 1 winners and has won the Vodacom Durban July three times.

KEAGAN DE MELO

A top light weight rider, Keagan’s talents are slowly being recognised by some of the top yards. He finished 13^th on the jockey’s table last season, his first as a full-fledged jockey, and is currently two better than that having booted home 72 winners so far this season and over 300 in his short career so far. He was a leading apprentice and won 108 races before coming out of his time.

ANTON MARCUS

Marcus is still one of the hardest working jockeys in spite of his 30 years in the saddle. He has ridden over 3400 winners in his career, more than 80 of them Gr1. He is retained by South Africa’s leading owners Ingrid and Markus Jooste and his services are in great demand when not pencilled in for a Jooste horse. He has an amazing 27% winning strike rate.

MUZI YENI

Yeni’s motto is “have saddle will travel”. Yeni has a riding schedule that would test even the most dedicated as he flits around the country in search of winners. This has paid off in that he has ridden over 100 winners in a season for the past six years. He is currently stable jockey to Duncan Howells. With two weeks of the current season still to run he has ridden 159 winners, 12 better than his previous best.