Kimberley veteran Cliffie Miller became the first of the Northern Cape closedown class of 2020 to saddle a winner at his new centre when the Hollywood Syndicate’s Chief Officer shed his maiden at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday.
Chief Officer (Jabu Jacobs) storms home (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Having his first run for the multiple Northern Cape champion on transfer from Alyson Wright, Chief Officer, a Terry Andrews-bred son of Captain Of All, won at his tenth time of asking under a polished ride by Jabu Jacobs.
Miller, who along with some of his former Flamingo Park colleagues is based at Ashburton, paid tribute to the Alyson Wright yard and said he had contributed little to the training of the winner as the gelding had been with him only a short time.
Hollywoodbets Racing Manager Anthony Delpech and trainer Cliffie Miller lead Chief Officer (Jabu Jacobs) in (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Miller had trained in Kimberley for 42 years and after initial resistance had adopted a philosophical attitude to the closure of his long-time home base. He said he had adjusted to the new surroundings of the near Pietermaritzburg training centre – which even has a grass training track!
Flamingo Park is scheduled for official closure on 31 July in what will be the sad end of an era for South African racing.
