20Twenty at Greyville all the rage
SOUTH Africa’s first ever 20Twenty racemeeting will be held at Greyville this Friday night so called because there will be a gap of only twenty minutes between each of the eight races.
The innovative idea was the brainchild of Gold Circle’s Racing and Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins and has generally been well received by officials, riders, trainers, owners and punters.
The racemeeting on Friday will start at 5.55pm.
In order to accommodate the short space of time between events the odd numbered races will only have jockeys riding in them and the even numbered races will only have apprentices riding.
KZN's chief Stipendiary Steward Sean Parker welcomed the idea and said, “It is innovative, which is good for racing, and I hope it turns out to be an exciting an enjoyable meeting.’’
Parker was confident that unexpected events, such as objections, could be handled in the time allowed as the jockeys involved would not have to be riding in the next race, which is usually often the case.
Paddy Wynne, a top jockey is his day who won the Durban July aboard Jamaican Rumba in 1982 and is now a riding master at the South African Jockeys Academy, said, “It is a good idea when you think what 20Twenty did for cricket. It is something different and will keep the apprentices on their toes and give them more opportunities.’’
Apprentice Tristan Godden will be riding in the meeting and said, “It is something different and us apprentices will obviously enjoy it as we can get more chances, which we need. It will be hectic at first but I think everybody will get used to the timing.’’
One of KZN’s leading jockeys Athandiwe Mgudlwa said, “”It will be a challenge as there will be quite a rush between races. It will be good for the apprentices who need experience and who can get more than one ride a meeting, but I have to say that for us jockeys it will be a loss, so we hope there are not too many of these meetings.’’
Legendary jockey and now Summerveld trainer Michael Roberts was in favour of the meeting and said, “I hope it is a success. It is something new and racing needs something new. Unfortunately most of the trainers will be away at the sales.’’
Cape-based trainer Dean Kannemeyer, who now has a satellite yard at Summerveld, was also positive and said, “I am looking forward to it. I have a few runners and will be there as I am only leaving for the sales on Saturday morning. It is something new and exciting. It will be nice to not have to sit around waiting for halfan-hour. Saddle up and let’s go. The time often drags out at normal meetings. I think the punters would have studied their form, so canter down and let’s go. 35 minutes is too long although it is obviously necessary for the big racemeetings where there are long queues.’’
Trainer Mark Dixon admitted that the meeting didn't appeal to him and said, “I am a traditionalist, I love test cricket. But I think normal meetings should have 30 minute gaps, 35 minutes is too long.’’
Trainer Karen Anthony said, “There are always positives to new ideas but also aspects that don't suit. We had to wait a long time for our horse Big King to get a good draw and when he finally landed one he ended up in one of the apprentice races in the 20/20 meeting.
“He needs a strong, experienced rider and we had to scratch him again. So, I think if they mixed the apprentices with the jockeys for every race it would be better and that should still give the apprentices a lot of chances."
Trainer Robbie Hill said, “I think it's a good idea, although I don't know if it will give the punters a chance to bet in time. I think the races should also be open to all riders with the condition that they can only ride every second race.
“The current format does give the apprentices more chances but the bottom jockeys won't get the chances they could have had and also I had to scratch a few of my horses because I couldn’t afford to take a chance by running them from wide draws with apprentices aboard.’’
Phil Georgiou, owner of the top class Harry's Son and an enthusiastic punter, spoke on behalf of owners and the betting fraternity.
His biggest concern was the length of time it is taking these days for a result to be declared all clear to pay.
He said, “Punters who are collecting will be still standing in the queue waiting for the all clear and won't have time to go down to the parade ring and then structure their bets.
“I know it could be said that you can collect later, but it doesn’t work like that, punters like to see what they have in hand before betting again. So hopefully the all clears will be a lot quicker.’’
Parker said the stipes would make every effort to speed up the “All Clear” as they realised it was imperative that the All Clear was given as soon as possible to give punters time to collect winnings and place further bets.