South African jockey Diego de Gouveia stepped into massive boots when he took over the post vacated by multiple champion jockey Piere Strydom at the Rameshwar Gujadhur yard just a week ago.
The talented 2019 Gr1 Cape Derby-winning rider showed his balance and strength in the finish when he extricated an extra ounce of enthusiasm out of former Sean Tarry-trained stakes winner Barrack Street to register his first win on the island in double quick time.
This was his only hissixth ride on the island.
Diego (red cap) gets Barrack Street to dig deep and beat Henry Tudor (Randall Simons) in a thriller (Pic – Mauritius Turf Club)
The much anticipated duel between Barrack Street and Henry Tudor went all the way down to the wire in the Apex Group 15th Aniversary Trophy, with Diego getting one over fellow Gauteng-based rider Randall Simons, who ended the day with a beautifully taken double to take his win tally to three.
An elated Diego told the Sporting Post on Sunday that he was thrilled to have broken the ice – and equalled the 990m course record in the process.
“I am glad that I have got the first winner behind me. I am enjoying it here and while it is a different lifestyle, we are adapting quickly,” he added when touching on the adventure that he and long-time girlfriend Jamie-Lee Oliveira have undertaken.
The Klawervlei Stud bred Barrack Street was a R500 000 2016 CTS Lanzerac Ready To Run sale graduate.
He is by Dynasty out of Laptop Lady – and thus a half brother to ill-fated Equus champion racer and sire Jay Peg (Camden Park).
