The R85 000 Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery heads the Fairview card on Friday, and while she is a true impartial professional in every respect, Tellytrack presenter Nadine Low Ah Kee’s heart is in a victory for her adoptive hometown.
The former lady jockey-turned TV star, sporting a new more efficient and ‘convenient’ hairstyle these days, is one of the most polished and professional presenters on our much maligned racing channel.
Nadine – always smiling (Pic- Pauline Herman)
She does the prep and the interviews in advance of our favourite Friday racing fun, and one doesn’t think mute when her voice hits the airwaves.
“With the visitors in town, it will be very competitive again on Friday. Gavin Smith’s Miss Nibbles was both super speedy and showed a good turn of foot in above average time first time out. The champion combo of Alan Greeff and Greg Cheyne are always a factor, and while Old Glory was horribly disappointing last up, the going was sticky that day and she is a leggy filly, so can hopefully get back to best. I also have big respect for Glen Kotzen’s Jewel Of Doha – but it does look like they all have to beat the Snaith runner Europeana who on debut ran third to Gimme Dat who won the Kenilworth Fillies Nursery in her next!”
Nadine was part of probably the last ‘power lady’ intake at the SA Jockey Academy.
The year was 1996 and she was accompanied by Chantal Moys (now Cormack) and Danny Mcreedy (married to Sherman Brown today).
Her intake also included, amongst others, Bernard Fayd’herbe and Lucas Bester, who are both still riding today.
She rode her first winner for trainer Anil Maharaj, who was slightly unorthodox but taught her the fine art of pace judgement – years before technology arrived.
On 11 October 1997 Nadine had her crop tied to her right wrist with an elastic and stormed to victory at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Desert Dueller, almost taking out the hot dog stand in the process!
“Mr Maharaj was scared I’d drop the crop – so he strapped it to me! I was so young and didn’t come from a horsey background, so was willing to learn. And he taught me plenty of value – like the counting to judge pace.”
Nadine in action on the turf
Nadine has an extraordinary record which she treasures to this day– a handwritten register of every horse she ever rode – with comments!
Now 40 and happily married to Gary Low Ah Kee for the past nine years, there are no kids in the house – only the ‘furkids’. The Low Ah Kee residence is populated by Dexter the Boerboel, Gamble the Pitbull, Pheebs the Jack Russell, as well as her two horses – Fly Wolf and Credibility.
Nadine is the oldest of two kids. Her younger brother Wayne lives in the UK. Dad Ernest passed away a few years ago and her Mom, Annette, lives in the Rapson hometown, Greytown KZN. That is further away than Nadine would choose – but she says that they chat every week. Grandad Stanley, who is 95 this year, also lives in Greytown.
“Locally I am lucky to have my in-laws, Noeleen and George, and sister-in-law Yvette, that we can see regularly,” says Nadine with a smile.
She rides to keep busy in her spare time. And one of the reasons she cut her hair, is her hectic exercise routines.
“I’ll play polocrosse when I get the chance – although with a lot more enthusiasm than talent. I also really enjoy cycling. I try to take my mountain bike out as often as I can. But that’s always work and weather permitting.”
She adds that her favourite past-time will always be curling up with a good book.
“From thrillers to romance, whodunnits to historic novels – I just love reading!”
With Covid-19 hitting the racing industry so hard in the last year, Nadine says that she has fared a lot better then many, and for that she is grateful.
“Living in limbo is a disconcerting feeling for a person like me that surrenders to change very reluctantly and always has everything planned to the last detail. All these ups and downs and curved balls have been very disorientating. Racing folk have had to deal with the double whammy of uncertainty with Covid and the massive changes in our industry.”
She is now in her eighth year on Tellytrack.
Behind the mic (Pic- JC Photos)
“There’s been mention of upgrading our production significantly, which would be great! I love my job and honestly give 100% at every meeting. There is plenty of prep work leading up to a race day behind the scenes. And I do prefer the presenting to the tipping by a vast margin! I also love the special moments when there is a story behind the winner, and though every win is special, sometimes some are just that little bit more!”
While the arrival of the Cape raiders are frowned upon in some quarters with their regular plunder of the Fairview features, Nadine feels that the presence of the Capetonians bolsters the local racing and lifts the standard.
“I am looking forward to our 3 year old features this season as we have two standouts that have held their own against the Cape Raiders already. Global Drummer and Santa Therese are just two horses that have shown outstanding ability and they could well hold their own!”
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16 comments on “Tellytrack’s Leading Lady”
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Adrian Holloway
Cecil Pienaar
Frankie Zackey
Donald Bradshaw
The best presenter by a country mile she gives the punting public what they want and that is the opinions of all the trainers with runners at pe meetings and that includes raiders,,.Sadly gold circle television and gauteng presenters cannot understand that this is the route to go and the majority of the punters are left buying batteries to ensure their mute buttons are always working…Nadine gets the interviews out early and the views are for all to listen to but its a pity these views cant be disseminated to all who have not got access to a computer …Nadine gets the opinions before the meeting begins unlike the rest who either wait for 5 minutes before the race or hope that the trainer who has fancied runners on the day has a winner early…Presenters or tipsters need creditation and nadine has that and well done to her for setting the benchmark…
Simply in a different leaque. Well summed up by Hilton!!
I agree
Frankie Zackey…Hilton i must agree with you…getting the right message out to the viewer is so important,, the crap we got to listen to day in and day out makes one wanna turn the game up,,their research going into a meeting is pathetic, but seriouly pathetic,,their passion and love for the game will be more appreciated somewhere else in the racing department…the crap that they talk about when presenting immediately tells me they haven’t the foggiest idea,, our racing is becoming a joke and it’s embarrassing,,i wonder what our overseas viewers are thinking and talking about ? the vibe is dead when presenting the whole area is flat,,there’s no excitement whatsoever,, they are so far behind that they think they in front…another department that needs quick sharpening up are our current batch of apprentices,,if this is what we are dealt with then we are in trouble if help is not on it’s way,,The Jockey Academy Masters must start putting their foot down,, correcting the youngster day in and day out is a must when they have ridden a bad race,, too many mistakes are being repeated…
Hi Nadine,, just a fine job indeed,, well done. Was it world peace ,, you had wings for 4 and glided to 5. Just like yesterday. An insanely brave jock and a very decent asset for punters. All the best going forward.
Frankie, I couldn’t agree with you more, the word clowns comes readily to mind. When a presenter talks about Dorrie , Gav and well done to Alan and Greg as if they are his golf pals is both disrespectful and most annoying. Tellytrack is a global product, I wonder if punters in an off course tote in London know what he is even talking about. The sad part about it is firstly nobody is there to correct there aggravating habits and even worse certain of them have been there for years and they have shown absolutely NO improvement, this is the shoddy experience a punter must suffer when there is no competition- Take it or leave it, a very poor reflection on the racing industry.
Selwyn Elk is right – it’s either take it or leave it at Tellytrack.
On Thursday you could be forgiven for thinking Hexham was the main UK meeting not Cheltenham.
The first Chelt race was a Gr 1 but it had a split screen with a minor event from Hexham. Surely the right move was to show the Chelt race with a full screen and tell viewers the finish of the Hexham race will be shown after the Cheltenham Gr 1 has finished.
Unfortunately, Selwyn your and my comments fall on deaf ears. Nothing has changed at Tellytrack since they dumped 7-8 well-known people 10 months ago. Don’t hold your breath for any change in the near future.
Well said Bloggers.
Mrs. Nadine, your presenting style & level of preparation shines through.
No jibber-jabber, 4 minutes before the off as to how close the Quartet pool will get to R84 000.
And a touch of spontaneity, here & there, goes along way to round off your polished contribution to what punters expect.
And never be scared to put your neck on the block if you are forced to tip. Punters hate fencing sitting.
Even if your choice runs last, favourite or outsider, punters like intent.
Keep it up.
Our Nadine from the Midlands. Respected by all from Greytown to Gqeberha…
Cecil
Ek dink sy is top class….sy het al n perd vir my gery….hard probeer maar die perd was miskien overrated…
More Pieta, hoop jy wen nog daai USA Jackpots
Absolutely agree with all the other comments; the headline is incorrect though she is not Tellytracks leading lady; she is indeed Tellytracks leading analyst and presenter full stop. Keep up the great work Nadine.
Please use your name and surname
Good afternoon all.
With regards to those of you who commented on Nadine, well said.
Nadine is not only an asset to Tellytrack but a wonderful, genuine lady as well.
‘ Nads’, you deserve all the accolades.
Thanks for all the hard work that you do with regards to your presenting etc.
Much appreciated.
I salute you.
Best regards ,
Ivor.
Ivor Moodie
Have to agree with Selwyn Elk and David Mollett’s assessment. The “golfing pals” analogy is spot on as it is annoying and unprofessional. I’m sure a lot of us wish for improvement and perhaps have pinned our hopes on MOD influencing that but who knows ? Don’t those in charge heed any of the comments of the “seasoned” punters or do they just not give a f*** ?