AT THE JOCKEYS CHALLENGE IN SOUTH AFRICA: We have had an amazing week so far in South Africa, we were even able to enjoy the flight over as we got the air bus with Emirates which has a stand up bar. We all flew ever together so it was a great laugh.
You have to have it to Patsy Cosgrove. He rode in the 3pm at Kempton last Monday, he then had to go in to a steward’s enquiry, drove to Heathrow and joined us in the lounge by 3.30! Unbelievable.
We had a few days in Sun City, then flew over to Port Elizabeth to ride the following day at Fairview racecourse. I have been selected as Team Captain which is pretty cool. It’s a good title with no extra work what so ever, I just have to ride.
Our International team were the outsiders so we did well to finish only 17 points behind the South African Team. It’s all to play for now going into the final day today.
SOUTH AFRICA – 219
REST OF THE WORLD – 202
Robert Havlin rode the first winner at 100/1 followed by Patsy Cosgrave winning the 2nd race. Poor Patsy had to do only 55kg (8st 6lb) which is a bit harsh when you’re on holiday so that winner was well deserved. Aurelian Lamaitre won the final leg. I managed a 3rd, and a few lasts but hoping for a better day today!
Fairview is a nice track to ride grass and Polytrack but it’s a low grade venue so the horses weren’t fast or a particular pleasure to ride. It’s a good experience nonetheless but we’re looking forward to moving on from here.
We’re going to Johannesburg tomorrow and that’s when the grade steps ups a bit more. My form knowledge for here isn’t great but word has it, that my final ride tomorrow is a good one. It’s trained by Mike De Kock and there is no better man to ride for out here. That would be a nice way to finish the trip and my riding career. Fingers crossed anyway!
Last weekend was great up at Doncaster. Although I didn’t manage a winner, Buonnarroti ran a superb race to be second in the November Handicap. The horse I rode for Ed Walker, Ghalib, will be worth persevering with next year. He’s a very big horse who is still quite weak so he should improve over the winter.
All in all, last Saturday was a perfect day despite finishing 2nd in the November Handicap! There were no tears which surprised a few but I’ll fill you in more on Doncaster next week when I’m back home.
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