Former multiple Northern Cape Champion trainer Cliffie Miller has called it a day at Ashburton in KZN and arrived at his new home base of Fairview in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.
Miller had trained in Kimberley for 42 years and after the closure of the Northern Cape sand track last year, made the move, admittedly with some trepidation, to KwaZulu-Natal along with three of his colleagues.
He was the first of the newbies to open his account when Chief Officer won at Hollywoodbets Greyville in late July.
Cliffie leads in a Hollywoodbets Greyville winner (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
He has saddled five winners this season so far, and has made the move for a variety of logistical and practical reasons.
“I had to take a pragmatic view of the situation. It’s not easy competing when one doesn’t really have the ammunition. Also the travelling between Ashburton and Hollywoodbets Greyville was not something I enjoyed. I have brought 25 of my best horses with me. Most of my owners are standing behind me and I know Fairview and believe I will be more competitive here.”
Cliffie added that his colleagues Garth Puller and Peter Muscutt, as well as his longstanding sponsors Hollywoodbets have undertaken to support him.
“The East Cape is a proven feeder zone or second chance saloon from the major centres for horses that may be battling. It’s heartening to have the commitment and support from Garth and Peter, and Hollywoodbets have been typically staunch, and have also indicated that they will be willing to assist with their horses that may not be up to it in the other provinces.”
Cliffie was philosophical about the situation.
“We love the game and we love our horses. From 42 years of stability to two provincial moves in the space of eight months is not something that anybody could prepare for or we saw coming. But we are soldiering on. I hope to saddle my first runner here later this month or early March. In the meanwhile, we have open boxes and would welcome inquiries from owners with horses that may be battling elsewhere,” he concluded.
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