South African racing will be minus another jockey shortly as KwaZulu-Natal-based rider Karl Zechner will shortly be leaving our shores for a stint in New Zealand. Ryan Roberts spoke to him:

RR: How long will you be going for? KZ: I have a one year contract and will be leaving on Monday.

RR: Where about will you be riding? KZ: I will be based up north.

RR: How did it come about for you to go there? KZ: It came about through Charles Grey at the Jockey Academy. They were at first looking for an apprentice but then decided to go for me.

RR: Who will you be riding for? KZ: I'll be riding for an owner named John Carter.

RR: Have you ridden overseas before? KZ: Only up in Zimbabwe so I am looking forward to riding somewhere new.

RR: How many winners have you had to date? KZ: Around 120.