Cape-based apprentice Brevan Plaatjies continues to grow in confidence since his move to the Mother City and edged another winner closer to national log-leader Trent Mayhew when booting home the well-backed Avignon for Piet Botha at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.
A determined Brevan Plaatjies steers the well-supported Avignon to victory (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Highveld-based Mayhew has been out for some months after an injury in late January, and expects to return to race-riding in the next four weeks. He currently leads the log on 20 winners, with Plaatjies on 16 and Nirvan Nastili on 15.
It’s an interesting poser, with Mayhew effectively sidelined – read more here – until the final six odd weeks of the term and Plaatjies on something of an upward curve.
Mayhew is at evens in the Hollywoodbets SA Champion Apprentice Jockey Challenge, with Plaatjies having firmed to 22-10, and Nastili holding firm at 3-1.
See the betting – please click on the image:
The Sporting Post spoke to the Al Khayl Breeders-sponsored Brevan Plaatjies on Thursday morning and asked whether he felt he had a chance of catching his log-topping colleague.
“It has not been my full focus, but naturally I am doing my best and would be honoured to be crowned champion,” mused Plaatjies as he pointed out that his main goal is to establish himself in the Cape.
“Strictly speaking, I am not permitted to travel as I need to build relationships with trainers here. But I have spoken to our Riding Master about being permitted some leeway, if things go down to the wire in the final stages.”
Valuable meetings lost due to the vagaries of the Cape winter weather remain a threat, although a ‘drier’ winter has been predicted.
The Pretoria-born 19 year old rode his first winner at his fourth ride under rules on 13 August 2023 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville when he got Sea Vista home for Michael Roberts in what was a genuine domestic pressure situation that saw his much-loved Granny Essie leading a crowd-swelling group of family and friends on course in the KZN Capital City.
Plaatjies has improved in leaps and bounds since those early days and looks nicely balanced on the back of a horse – as he showed when winning on Avignon on Wednesday.
We asked if he is happy with his progress in the Cape.
“I am loving it, but I really would want to be getting a few more rides with my 2,5kg claim. I realise I have to prove myself, but I am hungry to ride more than four horses on a ten-race card, like yesterday,” he reflected.
Thumbs up from Brevan after Wednesday’s winner (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
He tells us that he rides work at Milnerton and then Philippi on Wednesdays, with gallops on Thursdays.
“I appreciate the support from Mr Piet Botha, who has given me 3 of my 4 winners since I arrived here. I am also riding work for the powerful Snaith team, and getting support from them and other big yards like Mr Marshall. I will keep plugging away!”
Brevan, who is one of five children, says that since his Mom Vanessa and his sister are resident in Gordon’s Bay, the move to the Cape has also afforded him the opportunity to spend more time with his family.
“It’s a good professional and family life-balance and the SA Jockey Academy is looking after myself and Sifiso Bungane well here in Cape Town. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else with my life,” he concluded.
Watch his winning ride aboard Avignon:
