It has been close on a year since the South African horseracing industry rallied in support of award winning media man Dave Mollett’s knee replacement surgery and the word is out that Molly goes in for his right knee on Monday 2 February.
In December 2014, a prognosis from his orthopaedic surgeon that he could be wheelchair-bound in under five years, forced the Tellytrack legend to make a potentially lifechanging decision to undergo knee replacement surgery.
The operation was an unqualified success.
“I was so heartened by the support I received – mainly from leading owners – 12 months ago. It showed that – while racing is often viewed as a jealous and back-biting sport – when he chips are down there are many who will rally to a cause.”
“The perfect example is Paul Lafferty with the amount raised for his appeal – for an illness much more serious – showing what great affection so many people have for the popular trainer/presenter.”
“Happily, Laff appears on the road to recovery which is great news for not only his close friends and family, but also for the sport of racing.”
Molly had a meeting with his surgeon a fortnight ago and what he told the old man ‘was quite alarming’.
“I have done 300-plus knee ops – including many Springboks – but yours was the biggest worry due to the poor state of the knee due to football injuries when you were young. I’m just hoping the next op goes as well,” said the top surgeon.
Molly will be at the Met on Saturday, no doubt in that J&B Dreamcoat Blazer!