David Mollett
20 November 2008
Johannesburg — RIGHT now, one would rather be in the shoes of Jackson Feni than a certain Michael Jackson.
The first-named is making his mark as one of the leading jockeys in the Work Riders series, while the famous pop star is facing a big legal battle in France.
Like Michael Jackson, Jackson Feni is not in the flush of youth, but at 42 he is earning more today than at any stage of his career in racing.
Feni has rides in eight of the nine races at the Vaal today -- a meeting which is the first leg of the R50000 Work Riders' Challenge. His best mount may be Aussie-bred Usambara, who can open his account by beating the luckless I Got Vision in the final leg of the Pick 6.
Trainer Sean Tarry will be hoping it's 13th time lucky for I Got Vision, who has been placed eight times in 12 starts.
Although Feni's fourth-race mount, Gold Essence, can be given an each-way chance judged on her second behind Brave Bid, the right one here should be St John Gray's filly, Field Gate. The four-year-old was fancied to win her last race at Turffontein, but unshipped jockey Anthony Delpech.
"Lucky" Houdalakis is building up a strong stable, and he's booked Feni for the ride on Solar Voyager in the first leg of the jackpot. The daughter of Captain Al boasts some consistent form with the only worry being whether she will find the 1000m trip too short.
It might pay to include a couple of other runners in exotic bets. One who catches the eye is Tana, who should take a hand in the finish with Abram Makhubo in the saddle. Makhubo might well end the meeting as top jockey as -- apart from Field Gate and Tana -- he should be a major player on Montague Brown in the seventh and I Got Vision in the last.
Montague Brown ran out a four lengths winner at Turffontein a fortnight ago and could follow up, but it may pay to take a chance with Brett Webber's runner, Pattaya Beach. Named after a popular seaside resort in Thailand, Webber believes the Mogok gelding is better suited to turf than the sand.
Floating Heart looks certain to top the bookies' boards in the eighth race after finishing runner-up in each of his last four appearances. However, the gelding usually finds one to beat him, and don't be surprised if it's Jackson Feni on Elite Force.
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