Zackey, Marx-Jacobson to stretch their leads

Jack Milner

While most people have been keeping an eye on the race for champion jockey, the more interesting contest could be for the champion apprentice.

With just under three months to the end of the season, Craig Zackey currently holds a 46-win lead over his only real rival, Richard Fourie. He is almost reaching where his lead cannot be overtaken in the time available.

The battle for champion apprentice is a little closer Blaine Marx-Jacobson has edged his past Mxolisi Mbuto and at the time of writing has accumulated 31 winners, which put him two clear of that rival.

Marx-Jacobson still has the advantage of claiming 2.5kg, for at least his next seven victories, while Mbuto has already dropped to 1.5kg as he has already ridden more than 40 winners in total.

Marx-Jacobson has a good opportunity to increase his lead as he has picked up some decent rides at Turffontein on Thursday when they race on the Inside track.

He has built up a rapport with a number of trainers and none more so than Fabian Habib who has given him some of the pick of his runners.

He has some promising rides early on the card but he should pick up a victory in Race 5 where he rodes Oklahoma Smokeshow. This son of Erik The Red was caught late when second over 1450m in stronger company last time but lost nothing in defeat after doing the donkey work up front. Dropping in grade off the same mark is the key angle.

If Marx-Jacobson controls the tempo again, this could turn into a one-horse race late. He’s a confident inclusion for all exotics and a solid win play.

Zackey also has an opportunity to extend his lead and it will be interesting to see if can get Mattiazo to notch the third win of her career in Race 8, a MR 66 Handicap over 1600m for trainer David Nieuwenhuizen. This mare’s last run can be marked up significantly as she finished a close-up fourth over the same trip despite being found to be not striding out freely post-race. Crucially, she still finished ahead of Bay Empire, who has since franked the form with back-to-back runner-up efforts.

Now better off at the weights with that rival, Mattiazo looks poised to turn the tables decisively if returning to full fitness. She’s the kind of runner the market may underestimate, which is exactly the kind of runner bettors want on their side from an each-way angle.

His main rival in this race, Tony Peter-trained Bay Empire, will be ridden by Marx-Jacobson and it will be interesting to see a jockey who is having the season of a lifetime come up against possibly a future champion jockey.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Jimmy Vega, 3 Crimson Ranger, 7 Pista Resistance, 1 Berry Lancer

Race 2:  4 Proper, 6 Sutter’s Mill, 1 Rock My Boat, 5 Emerald Countess

Race 3:  1 Green Machine, 2 Samuel Sharpe, 4 Heroic Act, 7 Asiah’s Tiara

Race 4:  3 Lady Elliot, 2 Ada Lovelace, 4 Longsword, 10 Oriental Bouquet

Race 5:  1 Oklahoma Smokeshow, 3 Frere Jacques, 2 Gran Canaria, 4 Clarkson

Race 6:  1 Chestnut Bomber, 6 Shoreybomba, 3 Orange County, 2 Boundless Love

Race 7:  2 Mattiazo, 7 Bay Empire, 8 Libeccio, 1 Michael Faraday

BEST BET

Race 1: 4 Jimmy Vega

VALUE BET

Race 6:  1 Chestnut Bomber

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 4×6

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3

Leg 6: 1, 3, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 1, 3, 6

Leg 7: 2, 7

PICK 6

R2160

Leg 1: 4, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3

Leg 5: 1, 3, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9

JACKPOT 1

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6

JACKPOT 2

R270

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9