Proud Moment. Divan Neethling is led in by his Mom Babette and trainer Wendy Whitehead
There is something about making an impact that 17 year old apprentice Divan Neethling will always remember. He rode his first winner at Clairwood on Sunday on a 45 to 1 shot to upstage the even money favourite in almost casual style.
In what was a nasty shock for punters, Neethling steered the formless Lago to a smooth win for trainer Wendy Whitehead. There were sighs of relief from exotic players that the race was not in the Pick Six and PA punters were saved when the favourite ran second.
The Clairwood third race winning photograph is bound to take pride of place in the youngster’s home forever, despite the fact that it was little more than a modest Maiden Plate.
Seemingly unfazed by the impact of what he was doing, Divan Neethling kept the Wendy Whitehead trained Lago going over the last 300m to withstand the late challenge of the well backed favourite 2yo Wimoweh, on whom the far more experienced Sean Veale appeared to have done little wrong.
The winner paid R71,50 for a win and R9,90 a place on the tote.
Neethling, who started riding in January 2011, was born on 25 September 1995.
He has only had 30 odd rides in his short career and has ridden just 3 places to date.
The apprentice, who labels Piere Strydom his hero, lists adventures, chilling with friends and family and watching rugby, as his non racing interests.
He is the son of Gold Circle Racing Executive Graeme Hawkin’s partner, Babette.
In a bitter sweet twist, the runner up is part owned by Gold Circle CEO, Michel Nairac.
The proud Mom was on course to lead her son in.
