TOP HORSE: Polo
Trainer Steve Moffatt won six races with Brian Miskin’s horse proving that you can stay ahead of the handicapper with shrewd placing and the booking of experienced jockeys. Although Polo became a popular performer with punters, spare a thought for Winston Chow who would surely have won the “Horse-of-the-Year” award if The Apache hadn’t been born in the same year as Igugu. The Apache (whose half-brother comes up for sale on Sunday) won The Dingaans, Daily News and Champions Cup and also finished fourth in the Vodacom July.
TOP TRAINER: St John Gray
Not an easy category this one with Ormond Ferraris (19% strike-rate) and Vernon Rugg (56 winners and 15% strike-rate) and Lucky Houdalakis (JJ simply supreme in Hong Kong) all strong candidates. However, St John had a season to savour – not only with his star filly, Dancewiththedevil, but he had 62 winners (13 more than 2009/10) and finished in ninth place in the national trainers log.
TOP JOCKEY: Sherman Brown
His best season to date finishing in fifth place in the national log (four places higher than the previous season) with 116 winners. He gets the vote ahead of Fanie Chambers who really turned it around booting home 44 winners – some 19 more than he managed in 2009/10.
TOP OWNER: Andre MacDonald
The best season yet for Andre and his lovely wife, Joyce. He’s sure to be going up to collect the “Horse-of-the-Year” trophy at tomorrow night’s Equus awards, but he’s seen his colours carried to numerous victories this term with Mr Black Tom’s earnings now over R400000. Others worth a mention here are Brian Miskin (owner of Polo), Winston Chow (owner of The Apache) and Michael de Broglio whose runners did particularly well in the last three months of the campaign.
TOP SIRE: Mogok
Really on the map now, this son of Storm Cat moved up from 12th place to eighth in the sires log to suggest he’s ready to challenge the established stars Jet Master, Captain Al, Silvano and Western Winter. Represented by 14 of his progeny at this week’s National Two Year-Old Sale. Plaudits to Captain Al who challenged Jet Master all the way to the final day to dramatically improve on 2009/10 when he finished over R4 million adrift of Henry Devine’s stallion.
TOP APPRENTICE: J P Van der Merwe
Failed by only three winners to reach a century, but fully deserved his invitation to the “Young Guns Challenge” in Australia. Needs to get more support than he’s getting at present, but is unquestionably a serious talent. Also worth a mention in this category is Nooresh Juglall who also looks a level-headed rider with a future.
TOP COMMENTATOR: Alistair Cohen
Has gone from strength to strength under the wing of Clyde Basel, and no worries about handling a whole meeting if both Clyde and Nico are unavailable. Needs to switch off Ngong commentaries – not the ideal tuition!
TOP TELLYTRACK PRESENTER: Shaheen Shaw
Plenty of nominees here including Cecil and Deez, but Shaheen has the knack of getting the most out-of-pocket punter to spend his bus fare home. “Look at the Kempton Park pool – I wouldn’t know why you wouldn’t want to get involved.”
BEST PRINT MEDIA WRITER: Nicci Garner
Nicci continues to get right into the soul of her subjects – when you’ve read one of her interviews you feel you’ve known the person for years. Also nominated Jack Milner for his snappy introes as well as The Times’ Mike Moon and Sporting Post’s, Lance Benson, who aren’t afraid to ruffle feathers.
TOP PUNTER: Bruce Taylor
Now to know why Bruce gets the award, one has to visit the Betting Lounge at Brightwater Common where Bruce’s bets and vodkas go hand in hand. Also nominated – Neil Andrews who slips away daily to visit a Betting World outlet and invests in anything from Turkish racing to the Outer Mongolia Cup!
OTHER AWARDS:
Best Comment of the season: Nico Kristiosis’ commentary in the SA Fillies Classic at Turffontein when he described Igugu as being “as priceless as an uncut diamond.”
Raspberry of the season: Bookmakers failure to bring us in line with the UK and scrap the 5% deduction on horses which are withdrawn when 20-1.
Best service: Betty Moffett at the TBA complex at Gosforth Park. There are rumours she may be retiring, but her ardent supporters will be hoping this isn’t true. Some people really are irreplacable.
Saddest and best moments for this writer: Big City Life’s demise in the July and World Airline finally making it to the winner’s enclosure at the Vaal.
