Racing tip: Johnny The Thief looks a steal on Greyville Polytrack

When one is asked to list the names of South African champion jockeys people will talk about Michael Roberts, Piere Strydom, Anton Marcus, Mark Khan, Lyle Hewitson and the like, but one name many racing fans forget is that of MJ Odendaal.

Odendaal won the title in the 2004/2005 season and after an injury put paid to his riding days, he took up training. He certainly has found it a lot tougher to produce winners as a trainer but after some difficult years, he appears to finally have some decent horses in his yard.

Today at Hollywoodbets Greyville Odendaal can saddle another winner when Johnny The Thief lines up in Race 4, a Graduation Handicap over 1900m, where he faces five rivals on the Polytrack.

READ MORE: Why Piere Strydom was so emotional about winning at Fairview with Euphoric

The Time Thief gelding was runner-up four times in a row with other jockeys, but when Richard Fourie climbed aboard he ran out an easy 2.10-length winner last time out. Fourie retains the ride and Johnny The Thief can follow up and score again.

While that victory was over 1600m on the turf, Johnny The Thief has run twice on the Polytrack for two seconds, and in his one run over track and trip he was beaten just 0.30 lengths. He did have excuses for that defeat too.