Shooting star Rachel Venniker on a high as she flies in for Vaal action

Apprentice jockey Rachel Venniker is in the spotlight after a memorable first visit to Joburg’s Turffontein racecourse on Saturday. The KwaZulu-Natal-based 20-year-old landed two winners on her first full working visit up north – Ms Flower Power (6-1) and Mauby (4-1), both for veteran female trainer Diane Stenger – and continued the red-hot form she’s shown back home.

Stand by for more Venniker magic; she returns to the Highveld for Thursday’s Vaal Classic meeting with five rides for five different trainers – all keen to get the services of South Africa’s new riding sensation and her 4kg apprentice allowance.

Sporting the logo of new sponsor Dacha – the cannabis products company making “high” waves in local racing – Venniker partners Triple Decker for Lucky Houdalakis in Race 2, Maboneng for David Nieuwenhuizen (Race 3), Flying Grace for Clinton Binda (5), Dark Travel for Brett Webber (6) and May Queen for Heather Adamson (7).

Only the first of those will be in double-figure odds on the betting boards and the last two might start as favourites.

Not that Venniker needs betting support: she has scooted up the jockey championship standings with quite a few long-odds winners. She currently tops the apprentice log with 15 wins from 117 rides and is in 15^th spot on the overall national table.

Going into the meeting with 19 career victories, Venniker is on the brink of losing her 4kg beginners’ allowance. Once she reaches 20, the weight claim drops to 2.5kg; after 40 wins it goes to 1.5kg and after 60 to zero, whereupon the bright young thing must race on level terms with qualified jockeys.

The good news for punters is that if the youngster lands that fateful 20^th winner early on Thursday afternoon, she won’t immediately be cut to 2.5kg as the new claim only becomes effective at the conclusion of the day’s action.

SELECTIONS

Race 1:

8 Definitely Maybe, 1 Montbleu, 2 Kiss To Dream, 7 By Crikey Man

Race 2:

4 Magnum P I, 3 Admiral Dooley, 1 Quality Joker, 8 Leeson

Race 3:

6 Silvery Blue, 3 Maboneng, 8 Monashada, 1 Fasinada

Race 4:

2 Willow’s Wish, 6 Safe Passage, 3 Back To Black, 4 Our Coys

Race 5:

4 Blue Moon City, 7 Tinder Dry, 5 Secret Is Ours, 1 Flying Grace

Race 6:

6 Dark Travel, 1 Flinders Range, 4 Miracle And Wonder, 2 The Makwakkers

Race 7:

2 May Queen, 4 Now You See Me, 5 Sweet And Spicy, 8 Phoenix

Race 8:

1 Hollywoodbound, 3 Sprinkles, 4 Louvain, 6 Meet The Captain

Pick 6:

1,3,4,6,8 x 2,6 x 4,5,7 x 1,2,4,6 x 2,4,5,7,8 x 1,3,4 (R1800)

PA:

3,4 x 3,6 x 2 x 4,7 x 1,6 x 2 x 1,3 (R32)