JOCKEY Muzi Yeni, who made a big name for himself when representing South Africa in the recent International Jockeys Challenge, believes he has a realistic prospect of landing the 2010 Sansui Summer Cup on Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoun’s filly Alderry.

He was full of praise for Alderry’s track work during the week and when asked if he agreed to having an “outside chance” he replied, “No, I have a big chance!”

Muzi bonds with Alderry.

Muzi  has never ridden the recent November Charity Mile winner in a race, but after putting her through her paces at Randjesfontein he was confident that she would play her part in the finish. He spent some time at Alderry’s stable on Tuesday morning and posed for a photo.

Muzi finished eighth on the National Jockeys’ Table last season with 97 winners, just missing his first 100, and presently occupies seventh position with 36 winners, 25 behind log-leader, Anthony Delpech.

The 23-year-old has  ridden with even more vigour over the last few weeks and Mike de Kock discovered why when Muzi showed him a photo of Linda Casey, his 3-week-old baby daughter with Kim, the lady of his life.

Muzi had kept the news of his first-born hidden from most but Mike, in his customary fashion, kept pestering and teasing the young jockey until he received the answers he needed.

Muzi tried to make a deal afterwards, saying: “Mr De Kock, if I ride 24 winners for you this season will you sponsor me to Dubai for the World Cup?” He calculated that to two winners per month, achievable even as the third or sometimes fourth choice of rider in the stable, but Mike wouldn’t commit, saying he wants to make sure that Muzi is not in cahoots with his Durban assistant Nathan Kotzen. “I think Nathan’s in on the graft here, he will give you the best rides,” chirped Mike.

Aside, however, Mike commented: “Muzi tries his heart out and he really has improved as a jockey. He deserves all the success he gets and I am very happy to have him on Alderry in the Cup.  I watched the replay of the November Mile the other night and on the way she ran on it won’t surprise me at all if she gets close on Saturday.”