adminJoshua Dancer has been drawn at 12 and will carry a lightweight of 53 kilogrammes in jockey Corne Orffer.
Madigan has won its last five runs with Quinton Riddle on board, but will get a new pilot in Orffer. But Madigan will face a stiff challenge from South African runner Code Rock (3) who has Francois Herholdt after the same partnership won the Castle Tankard in May.
With a draw of 5, Code Rock from the Alyson Wright’s yard beat Winter’s Night by half a lens to win the 2 000m grade one race and has a strong chance of emulating last year’s Castle Tankard winner Grisham who went on to win the OK Grand Challenge as well. Geoff Woodruff who had also saddled Grishan with jockey Karis Teetan this time brings in Mr Indigo (14) and Nooresh Jugiall on board.
Mr Indigo is coming after an impressive run on the local debut. Woodruff also sends in House of Wax, who failed to walk to talk of the Castle Tankard as he finished in mid-field. This time House of Wax is expected to put a much stronger challenge as Marco Van Renzburg once again gets a ride.
Leading trainer Lisa Harris has the US bred-filly Gracie Jones who disappointed in the last run but has been given decent chance in the OK Grand Challenge race.
Seasoned runner Earl of Surrey comes as number one of the race card with a draw of 7 and will get the services of Richard Fourie.
In 2006 Earl of Surrey won the Triple Crown and could prove hard to beat despite carrying 62kgs in Riddle. At number 10 is Pressure who set pace in the Tankard Race and is coming from the Seb D’Aquino stable but has been off form of late.
Jockey Morgan Nyamagwete rides the equine athlete while Officer Class has won its last race and should be respected in his race. The race day opens at noon with the OK Stakeholders Maiden Juvenile for two-year-olds.
The OK Grand Challenge draws the largest crowds at the race course as it culminates in the store’s promotion. Punters from different walks of life are expected with some hopeful of winning at least one of the grand prizes ranging from cars, televisions, cash and residential stands.
To add to the excitement, musicians Sulumani Chimbetu, Victor Kunonga, Peter Moyo and Soul Bone will also entertain the crowd.
Online Reporter