Fee and Joey enjoying great weather in the Cape
We have again managed to have four seasons in just over two days here in the Western Cape. From pouring rain and howling winds and snow on the mountains to temperatures reaching 29 degrees the next day. Not really sure what is going on with the weather.
We ended up losing a race meeting on the Wednesday and then racing on the Saturday which, after the heavy rains, no one thought would be possible. It just goes to show the magic of Dean Diedericks and what he has managed to achieve at Kenilworth.
Checking the weather forecast ahead with master weather-forecaster and Ridgemont racing manager, Craig Carey, predicting eight days of sunshine with one mm of rain.
No one need bother checking on the weather via the internet or any other means as Mr Carey has predicted it to be a great week down here in the Cape.
The big blue truck has arrived down from Durban with our Durban string.
It was an extremely sad goodbye to Clairwood, particularly for Alson Ndzilana, my assistant in Clairwood for many, many years. It has been his home and he really grew to love the place. We have moved our treadmill up to Summerveld and, as we have been doing for a while, are sharing it with Sean Tarry.
It will be interesting to see where they put us all next year and how all the new neighbours are getting along with one another. Too many cooks could maybe spoil the broth? We will have to wait and see.
Summerveld is the most beautiful place and I am sure Gold Circle have made every effort to put in all the amenities and facilities to try and accommodate everyone and keep them all happy. Never an easy task.
Down here we have seen some nice horses come out and it looks like the 3 yr old crop is a good one.
I am sure when Dean Kannemeyer brings his crop back from Durban it will be sure to swell the numbers and make for some extremely interesting racing ahead.
Justin Snaith is also starting to step out his lot and already the competition looks to be hotting up. Luckily for us, all our horses are in good form and running well, despite all the vaccinations that are going on around us. It is that time of year when everyone vaccinates against flu and African Horse Sickness.
There are usually plenty of “coughers” at this time of year and funny results can come out of this.
A few of our babies are starting to filter in. It is interesting to see what shape and size they arrive in. Many of them have been out in the Karoo and other such wonderful places. No time for buyer’s remorse; you just have to get on with what you have. It is a wonderful time of the year and from now on you start to learn what your future will be like in about 18 months time.
A few of the other trainers have already started to get busy with their youngsters so it will be interesting to see who lines up for the first juvenile events as they are already starting to run some of their youngsters along. If anything catches my eye, I will be sure to let you know.
There is a slight lull in the racing at the moment with the excitement of the Vaal super sand meetings coming up and then the Turffontein season. After this, the racing really starts to roll into action. It should be another exciting season ahead.
Well, Chelsea looks like the stand out Premier League team of the season. They look like they might leak a few but, by golly, are they going to score. Fantastic to watch.
Manchester United have spent big and it remains to be seen if they can glue them all together. One thing is for certain, not just the team but the fans (or certainly all my mates) are in complete disarray at the moment.
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