The Apprentices of the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) performed excellently over the past weekend! The weekend kicked off on a high note on Friday when Lyle Hewitson won Race 3 at Fairview aboard “JADE ORE” trained by Yvette Bremner. The Greyville night racemeeting that followed Fairview netted 6 winners out of 8 races for the apprentices.
Jason Gates won Race 2 aboard “BANK THE CASH” trained Frank Robinson, which was followed up by Luke Ferraris, who rode a delightful double, winning Race 4 aboard “CRYSTAL BALL” trained by Duncan Howells and Race 6 aboard “LUPO” trained by Michael Roberts. This was Luke’s second double as an apprentice jockey following the double he rode a few weeks ago at the Vaal. Academy Head Boy, Eric Ngwane, followed up on Luke’s double by riding a double of his own, winning Race 5 aboard “EXPRESSO MARTINI” trained by Paul Gadsby and Race 8 aboard “PRINCESS ANALIA” trained by Yogas Govender. Serino Moodley also got on the scoreboard, when he won Race 7 aboard “ROY’S TAXI” trained by Kom Naidoo.
At Fairview on Saturday, Champion Apprentice Lyle Hewitson, had another winner in Port Elizabeth, winning Race 10 aboard “PRINCESS REBEL” trained by Yvette Bremner. On Sunday at Greyville the Apprentices won a further 3 races, with Luke Ferraris following up his double on Friday night by winning Race 2 aboard “CHARLIE_FOX” trained by Michael Roberts. The ever consistent Lyle Hewitson rode an excellent double winning Race 3 aboard “TOUCH OF MAGIC” trained Paul Lafferty and Race 8 aboard “LIVERPOOL LASS” trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren.
South African Jockey Academy Principal, Graham Bailey, was full of praise for the Academy Riding Department saying “the success achieved by our Apprentices this past weekend is due to the tireless efforts of the Riding Department and the Jockey Coaches, who under the guidance of National Jockey Coach Robert Moore, work continuously to improve the riding ability of our Apprentices!”