Jockey Rusike makes history
UPCOMING apprentice jockey, O’Meara Chiedza Rusike, made history by becoming the first female black jockey in Zimbabwe to win a major race 0on Saturday.
She romped to victory in the 1100m MR70 Handicap at Borrowdale in Harare.
Rusike is the only female jockey at the country’s main horse racing venue.
On Saturday, all the saddles during race day were filled by jockeys and apprentices.
Rusike, a 21-year-old from the Zimbabwe Jockey Academy, rode Lunar Dancer, who finished ahead of Mill Creek, Western Shamrock and White Winter.
“I am so thrilled to have ridden such a competitive race. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, a privilege to do you all ( Zimbabweans) proud with my first win,’’ she said.
“A big well done to my friend Apprentice Rodgers (Satombo), it was awesome fighting it out with you on the turf.”
Mashonaland Turf Club racing manager, Betina Gurajena, said they believe she will go a long way and turn professional one day.
“We are delighted that we have a new jockey who is doing well and we are delighted that she is competing with men,’’ said Gurajena.
“It is good that we are giving the outside world a message that racing is not a male-dominated field only as anyone can do it.
“We need to encourage people to take a leaf from Rusike as she is managing to work hard and maintain her weight.”
The Glen Norah-born Rusike fell in love with horse racing in 2016 when her foster parents showed her an advert of apprentice jockeys that had been flighted in The Herald.
Rusike, who lost both her biological parents at a tender age before she was adopted by a loving couple Perseverance and Joyce Ganga in 2012, instantly fell in love with horses.
That same year, she was admitted for a five-year jockey apprenticeship in South Africa.
She is currently in her third year. Her group started as a class of 11 (six boys and five girls). However, they are now down to three boys and one girl.
Rusike’s mother passed away in 2000 while her father died nine years later, leaving her in the hands of her maternal grandmother.
She was adopted by Perseverance and Joyce Ganga in 2012.
The horse she rode on Saturday, Lunar Dancer, a five-year-old Philanthropist (USA) mare, is from the Gokhan Terzi yard and owned by Gengiz Goksel.
The horse was bred by Klavervlei Stud and has now won three races.
The main race of the day the AFZ Charity Handicap, over 1800m, was won by outsider Fareeq.
WARRIORS coach Joey Antipas said he would have wanted to assess some of the players who were either born or grew up in Europe during this week’s FIFA international dates.
But the gaffer says he understands the financial challenges which ZIFA are facing which are making it impossible for them to organise a friendly international.
Antipas presided over his first two assignments last month when the Warriors took on Somalia in the World Cup qualifiers.
“It would have been a great idea to play a game or two this week,’’ said Antipas.
“It would have been a great opportunity to assess the British-born players.
“But, as you all know, the economy is bad and ZIFA are also struggling with financial constraints and it would have been a burden for them.’’
The Chicken Inn gaffer has now turned his focus to the African Nations Championships qualifiers.
Yesterday, he named the home-based players who will travel to Maseru for the reverse tie against Lesotho on October 20.
The squad is expected to get into camp on Sunday.
Antipas has kept faith in the bulk of players who represented the country in the first leg which the Warriors won 3-1.
Striker Prince Dube scored a brace while Wellington Taderera added another goal.
Antipas said he was confident the players will finish off the job in Maseru.
“We retained 80 percent of the squad that did duty. I have confidence in the team, the other guys played well so we added one or two faces,” he said.
Ngezi Platinum defender, Frank Mukarati, has been rewarded with a place in the squad.
Antipas has included Dynamos forward Evans Katema who has been struggling with injury.
Provisional Squad Goalkeepers: Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos) Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders) Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Defenders: Partson Jaure (Manica Diamonds) Peter Muduwa (Highlanders) Frank Mukarati (Ngezi Platinum Stars) Ian Nekati ( ZPC Kariba) MacClive Phiri (Highlanders) Xolani Ndlovu (Chicken Inn) Nomore Chinyerere (Hwange)
Midfielders: Kelvin Madzongwe ( FC Platinum) Tichaona Chipunza (Chicken Inn) Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders) Sipho Ndlovu (Chicken Inn) Ralph Kawondera ( Triangle United) Joel Ngodzo (Caps United) Juan Mutudza (Herentals) Valentine Kadonzvo (Chicken Inn) Donald Teguru (Ngezi Platinum Stars) Phenias Bamusi (Caps United) Leeroy Mavunga ( Yadah Stars) Wellington Taderera (Black Rhinos)
Strikers: Prince Dube (Highlanders) Obriel Chirinda (Chicken Inn) Evans Katema (Dynamos.