International Jockey Challenge.

gregbucks Wrote:

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> CNC....careful that pacemaker doesn't pack up!!!


At 37 I really hope not

Mu apologies I thought you were an old fart of 80 odd

So you must be then

Noooooooooooooo...BUT please treat your elders with respect!!!

Guys just home and still raining, will have to take a rain check in the morning, but Sunday is best bet, or no bet!

TAB MEDIA RELEASE
SUBJECT: Turffontein meeting switched to inside track
DATE: Friday 20 November
RELEASED BY: Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited

The International Jockeys’ Challenge race meeting at Turffontein this Saturday 21 November has been switched from the standside surface to the inside track in order to reduce the risk of the fixture having to be abandoned.
A total of 26mm of rain was recorded at Turffontein from Wednesday until 3pm Friday. With more rain forecast overnight, it was decided to switch the meeting to the inside track in order to enhance the prospects of the fixture being able to take place on Saturday or, failing that, Sunday.
The inside track drains better than its standside equivalent and its penetrometer readings were more favourable on Friday afternoon. In addition, the inside track has not been raced on for some time and being fresh ground, there is less chance of inconsistent going.
The switch to the inside track has necessitated several changes in the distances of races - 1400m to 1450m; 1160m to 1200m and 2450m to 2600m.
Trainers have until 9am Saturday to withdraw horses as a result of the change of track. Should there be no scratching in Races 1 and 2, one horse will have to be eliminated from the opener and two horses from Race 2.
An early morning inspection is planned on Saturday after which a decision will be made whether to race as scheduled or to postpone to Sunday.

Big thanks to Tracey "possom" for the pics.

Officially postponed to Sunday. Race times will be announced later.

Thanks Magic, it has cleared up, but still very wet

So it would be good to soft today...at the Curragh. Lol. Let's hope for a drying day today. Forecast for tomorrow is good.

Dettori and Kinane head Euro team in Africa

Preview: South Africa, Saturday

Turffontein: International jockeys' match

FRANKIE DETTORI is determined to make amends for last year's heavy defeat when he leads an international team against the South African jockeys in a four-race match at Turffontein on Saturday - weather permitting.


He said: "We got completely kicked last year and I felt I needed to come back to give it another go. I want to put up a better performance and put the record straight."

The forecast of further heavy rain has put the meeting under threat but ex-Plumpton manager Patrick Davis, now boss of Turffontein's owner Phumelela, said on Friday that he believes it will go ahead, although he has made provisional plans to transfer it to Sunday if necessary.

However Dettori believes that the unseasonal spell will help the visitors cope with the altitude.

He explained: "Johannesburg is very high up [nearly 6,000 feet] and we European jockeys found it hard to adjust to this last year so the cooler weather will help us."

All four races are handicaps with mounts decided by draw and one of Dettori's best chances comes on Onehundredacrewood in the opening leg over 7f (12.50pm,GMT). This filly ran a fine race in the valuable Ready To Run Cup over course and distance last time.

Mick Kinane also has a chance on the useful Jet Scent even though her recent form has been over a furlong farther.

Smart Girl will be Seb Sanders' first ride in South Africa but her recent form is uninspiring. Mrs Brock (Jimmy Fortune) won over the trip here on her penultimate start.

Richard Hughes is optimistic that he will not go home empty-handed, saying: "Sometimes you turn up at these events and you get bad rides but I've asked a few expert punters and they tell me I've got two good ones."

Chestnut Cruiser (2.35pm) and the hat-trick seeking Jack Sparrow (3.10pm) could be his best chances in an event where Turkish champion HarasKaratas completes the visiting line-up.

But the local press are convinced that the home team - Anton Marcus, Piere Strydom, Felix Coetzee, Anthony Delpech, Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena - have by far the best of the draw and will come out on top.

>>Durban July winner Big City Life reappears in the Ocean Basket Green Point Stakes (1.40pm) at Kenilworth. He is expected to start hot favourite for Grade 2 over 1m.

New race times

Race 1: 11h05

Race 2: 11h40

Race 3: 12h20

Race 4: 13h00

Race 5: 13h35

Race 6: 14h10

Race 7: 14h45

Race 8: 15h20

Race 9: 15h55

Race 10: 16h30