A grandstand apology
Port Elizabeth trainer Mitch Wiese has extended an olive branch to racing operator Phumelela after what he termed his ”overreaction” following the witnessing of a terrible accident involving his longtime friend, Wayne Agrella. Wiese met with Phumelela in the city today.
Agrella was seriously injured while riding work on the Fairview polytrack on Monday 28 April and only left hospital this past Friday after surgery. He is expected to be out for two to three months.
Wiese, who has known the jockey since his childhood, said that the shock and stress of seeing Agrella injured had made him very upset.
An angry Wiese contacted the Sporting Post shortly after the accident and was prepared to be quoted on some damning issues surrounding the track.
“I need to say I am sorry for having approached the media in my haste and anger. Wayne is a very good friend and frustration drove me to blindly blame and slate the polytrack. There was no basis for that and while, like everybody, I have my personal opinions and perceptions of the track, no good can be served by throwing stones. After having met with Phumelela I accept that the only constructive way forward is for us all to work together.”
A PE based Veterinary Surgeon stepped into the fray a week after Wiese’s outburst, calling on the industry to pull together and make the R40 million rand investment work for everybody’s benefit.
Dr Charles Hayward joined the debate and voiced his call for implementing monitoring of both injuries and respiratory illnesses.
It is not known what action, if any, Phumelela intend implementing regarding the specific management of the track to monitor amongst others, climatic impact.
“We all have stress. We all have emotions. We get angry. We point fingers. As long as we are big enough to admit mistakes, say sorry and move on, This is a long game and it’s bigger than any individual. No matter what we may think,” added Wiese.
