NO, they are not members of a rock band, but they were the stars in horse racing circles in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) this week.
It was a very good week for local racing with eye-catching performances from two of the Eastern Cape’s best horses, Global Drummer and Atyaab, at last Friday’s meeting.
Global Drummer won the Ibhayi Stakes, a race for three-year-old horses, over 1 400m, in impressive fashion.
This smart horse had to carry 60kg to victory in soft, sticky conditions (after the welcome rain) and it was no easy task.
In the process, Global Drummer beat the Cape Town visitor, Tarantino (carrying 7kg less), making the smiles on the faces of the local supporters even wider.
Although Global Drummer is a serious racehorse, he is also a bit naughty. He is a handful at the stables of trainer Gavin Smith, but Smith and his team are doing a great job with this talented individual.
“The guy that has to be really on top of his game when Global Drummer decides it is time for some fun at the stables,” says Songezo Mpumlwana.
Songezo, better known as Ringo, is the groom that has to look after Global Drummer. Ringo said he knew Global Drummer was ready to win on Friday, as the gelding was not in the mood for a few tricks, but totally focused on putting his best hoof forward.
There is a lovely bond between fine (and naughty) horses like Global Drummer and their respective grooms. That is why it is especially good to see some recognition (finally!) for the grooms, coming from the racing authorities.
Ringo was the first receiver of the new initiative, where the groom of the winning horse in the big PE races, gets a trophy and a cash prize.
No doubt, the grooms, who are looking after the horses running in the Breeders Guineas this Friday, will walk the extra mile to get their animals in top condition for the battlefield.
Atyaab, or Attie as his large fan club has renamed the five-year-old star, was the other horse that was an impressive winner this past Friday.
He is trained at Fairview by Zietsman Oosthuizen and, although it was his 20th race, it was the first time that Attie had raced in his home town.
Attie has been busy campaigning in bigger races in Cape Town and Johannesburg but his trainer was very keen to get a Fairview race in somewhere.
Atyaab did not let his fans down and won the Pinnacle Stakes, over 2 000m, with ease.
Oosthuizen makes no secret of his intentions to prove that Attie is the best horse in the province.
At this stage, Atyaab is the clear favourite to be crowned as the East Cape horse of the year, when the current horse-racing season ends on July 31.
He will probably be tackling some of the big races in the winter, in the Champions’ Season in KwaZulu–Natal, so keep an eye on this local star.
