Last year's winner The Mousketeer will be back on the Vaal sand on September 22 to defend his title in the R600,000 Emerald Cup.

A changing of the guard occurred in the Listed Racing Association Stakes(1600m) at Fairview in the Eastern Cape on Friday. The Cape raider by the same name, from the in-form Justin Snaith stable lower the colours of In A Rush, the Eastern Cape Two-year Old Colt of the Year, when easily winning by two lengths.

After the Cape and Gauteng gave had their season openers for the three year olds, it is now the turn of the Eastern Cape. On Friday the Listed Racing Association Stakes over 1600m will be run at Fairview in Port Elizabeth.