This Saturday, Cape Town's Met day will mark the debut of a new trainer in the Cape under his own name.

Owner-turned-trainer Mano Pandaram is set to saddle his first runners in Cape Town at Kenilworth, stepping out with two prospects. He has already saddled two runners for two places to date but that on the Highveld. He now steps onto one of local racing's biggest stages. 

Pandaram, a familiar face in South African racing, has made his mark as an owner with Paul Matchett and Lunga Gila before teaming up with former jockey Lorenzo Karriem. However, his decision to take the reins himself signals a bold new chapter. Earlier this week, he sent out two runners at the Vaal, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing journey.

The spotlight now shifts to the interestingly named Porridge Boy, an Erupt colt, who will line up in the Summer Juvenile Stakes (L), and Indian Ocean, a mare by The United States, who will compete in the Grade 3 Summer Fling Stakes.

'Porridge Boy' is a reference to his religion/language group. It refers to someone of Tamil decent in the Indian culture. Indian Ocean, again, references his roots where Indians travelled across the ocean to South African from India in the 1800's and settled in coastal towns like Durban.

Mano Pandaram, a new trainer, but not a new name in racing circles.

Image JC Photos/4Racing