With just a few weeks to go to the richest race in Africa, the Betway Summer Cup, the Grade 1 race has attracted the best two horses in the country at the nomination stage.

The two best horses in the land, See It Again (131) and Main Defender (130) have both concluded preparations efforts for the big day with ruling favourite See It Again and Royal Victory running a mile event at Greyville with Main Defender coming a decent second in the Victory Moon Stakes Gr2 after a hefty weight difference with the winner, who isn't in the Summer Cup nominations.

Meanwhile current second favourite Frances Ethel (pictured) had a exercise gallop at Randjesfontein on Thursday morning. She worked well according to assistant trainer James Crawford (pictured) . He was thrilled with her progress into the event. Anticipation is reaching a crescendo for her riders arrival. Oisin Murphy, the British Champion Jockey, makes his way to South Africa especially for her in what is a historic occasion fitting of an age old race - first run in 1887. He is currently riding in Bahrain on Friday and England on Saturday, whilst having ridden in Canada, United States and France over the past two weeks.

His license to ride on the big day was confirmed on Thursday by the National Horseracing Authority.

In Canada last week, he finished behind the Gr3 Maple Leaf Team Valor race victor, Elysian Field (last year's Canadian 3yo Champion Filly) and will be in the correct colours come Summer Cup day when he dons the famous green and red silks; the colours in which the Frances Ethel will be back running in.

Rachel Venniker was the first rider officially accepted to ride, on Zeus. The final field and draw will be conducted on Wednesday, 20th November.