Craig Zackey

Though the owners, trainer and appie might be upset by this move I think the bigger picture is that the guy now gets the chance to ride in another centre and build relationships in the new province - I understand the frustration of the trainer and owners but racing is a fickle master and a few "bad rides" can result in the guy not getting rides in the stable. That's ok if you are a seasoned rider but as an appie you do not have the Racing network to move on. I think the academy is doing the correct thing in this case but I do understand how the stable feel as he has obviously become an important part of the stable. Also Natal is the Academy base not the home of the appies and I think many youngsters would feel happier going back to their home province after a few years where they have the support of family and friends.

Also with more race meetings in jhb and higher stakes, it means the academy can make some decent money, i know in the past it was jockey gets 25percent and academy gets 75 percent of money earned.will be more profitable for the academy, thats what horse racing has become, the profit margin.

I just spoke to the youngster. The Academy made the decision. He was very happy in Durban.

My opinion is that he will do fine up here and I will definitely support him. He had one ride for me in the Appie race up here a few months ago and he rode a very good race, finishing second.

I think that with more racing up here and with Kimberley added, he can be champion apprentice this season. Dave, whats the betting on that?

I wish Craig every success, as his attitude is very good.

The point that Shanks made at the start of this topic was that he had only one ride in Jhb last night and in Natal he was getting a chance in every almost all races.
What experience will he gain if he rides in 1 race per meeting? He could be getting 7 rides a meeting in Natal.
It is better to get the lower stakes in Natal as he was winning races .
I agree that he is going to be a top jockey.

they want to let him ride more meetings basicly....gauteng have 3 meetings a week + kimberley gives him 4 meetings per week to ride.
he rode from beginning of november in 14 meetings in natal ....here up north he can do that in a month


ps: i got a call from a partner this morning about this and Craig is now booked on 4 horses for us on monday flamingo....if all goes well he will be our stable select in that centre .
lets see how the young man listen and perform on a track he never been riding on.....

He will get rides now that Trainers know that he is up here. Very few knew before Tuesdays meeting.

and a winning return to Gauteng

Very decent Jock IMHO (tu)