Ilitha star vows to go for broke
Seven years in the saddle and Xoza has sights on the big one
Sandile Xoza, 24, from Ilitha who’s been a jockey for more than seven years aims to win his share in the prices worth more than R1m.
In 2012 he shocked many people in the horse-racing fraternity when he took part in the Nkonkobe Municipality Mayor’s Cup, and set high standards when he won the race.
In 2014 he won the Eastern Cape Horseracing Championships and then he went on to win the Berlin November in the same year.
Last year he managed to win the Berlin November again and this year he aims to get the title in the thoroughbred.
“I have another chance now to win the Berlin November race and I can say that I’m excited that it has finally arrived.
“I have been preparing my horse and myself mentally because in order to win this race you have be mentally stable. “Should you start to panic on the racecourse, you’ll lose focus and coming back from that will difficult.
“Hence I need to make sure that I don’t lose balance mentally,” said Xoza.
He said there were a lot of chances for him to win at least one race, as he was not thinking about anything else but the race. “I have something planned in the bag and I can’t let you in on my secret because that’s my weapon.
“I want to make sure that I win even if it’s not the grand prize. Because there will be a lot of experienced jockeys who’ll be riding fast horses there.
“But I’m prepared to take that first prize, it’s what I’ve been thinking of for the past three months.
“And competing there will be a relief for me because I’ve been training so hard. “People who are coming will see who’s the best rider around King William’s Town,” said Xoza.
The young talented rider said the Berlin November racecourse was one of the toughest races you’ll find, but it was an exciting one as well.
“Going to Berlin is always a relief for me because it’s always a race I want to own and winning it always feels good because it’s not an easy thing to do.
“You have to come prepared or else we’ll leave in the dust if you going there to take chances.
“That’s what I’ve learnt about that race, it’s not for chance-takers who are hoping to get lucky,” said Xoza.