Eight-times East Cape Champion jockey Greg Cheyne looks the man most likely to give runaway log-leader Warren Kennedy something to think about this season.
The 43 year old Capetonian maintained the arms-length pressure on the Winning Form-sponsored Kennedy when he booted home his 100th winner of the season at Fairview on Wednesday.
Kennedy is on 141 winners with his next engagements at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Read about Warren Kennedy’s form here
Cheyne is in a solid second position, with the suspended Muzi Yeni and Cape star Richard Fourie tied on 64 winners in third.
Breeder Dr Ashley Parker leads in the Greg Cheyne winner with his partners Dr & Mrs Scheckter (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Cheyne has ridden over 60% of his winners this term at his happy hunting ground of Fairview, and he rode a typically professional race to get the second favourite Seattle Mermaid home for Alan Greeff in the sixth.
It was a gutsy win in mixed company in wet conditions for the daughter of Sail From Seattle, who races in the Scheckter, Parker and Puggia partnership.
Cheyne’s 100 came up at a win strike-rate of just under 22%. Close on 36% of his rides run places.
The Ridgemont-Highlands sponsored jockey told the Sporting Post that he was pleased to have achieved the milestone but would not be proactively chasing the national title just yet.
“I have a nice balance in my programme and will assess my situation in the final quarter of the season to see whether it is worthwhile travelling more extensively,” he added.
Cheyne, who won the inaugural Sun Met on Whisky Baron for Ridgemont’s Kieswetter brothers, rides longshot More Magic for Candice Bass-Robinson in the big race next Saturday.
He chats to the Sporting Post about his eleven feature day rides in next weekend’s bumper Met issue.
