Serino’s Gr1 Winning Form!

While he turned owner Gerald Kalil’s, Riverton Stud and the Hill Racing Team’s season around in just over 71 seconds, Winning Form-sponsored jockey Serino Moodley was also the villain of the peace at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The final day of the South African racing season dawned bright and clear and with ten feature races carded, the prospects of a spectacular ending to a great season, with the possibility of a slice of the R15 million Pick 6 action, made for a terrific afternoon.

But one’s man meat is another man’s poison, and the scintillating late run from last to first by Pathfork gelding Pearl Of Asia in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint under a cucumber-cool ride by 25 year old Serino Moodley saw exotic tickets in the bin and the talented jockey enjoying a career changing moment.

Serino Moodley grasps the concept of weight-for-age and the hurdles facing Pearl Of Asia as he was taking on some serious star speedsters at level weights.

“Despite the fact that it looked very tough on paper, I actually felt a little confident about his chances on Saturday as I had ridden him in the Golden Horse Sprint, and he was bumped and we just never got the gaps. He was carried out at the 300m in the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Gr1. He was under four lengths off the winner. He gave me a terrific feel. As I was riding Solid Gold, Muzi Yeni then rode him in the Post Merchants, where he again had no luck and only ran 1,70 lengths off the champion Kasimir.”

Serino says that his experience in the Golden Horse, and watching Pearl Of Asia’s excellent, albeit unlucky effort in the Post Merchants, gave him confidence.

The Riverton product had also been producing great work.

“I worked out that he just wants to be left alone and not bustled. Mr Hill has been off ill and I have been working with Rocky Agrella. We looked at Pearl Of Asia on Saturday morning and he looked a million dollars. I just felt then that it could be our day – with a bit of luck in running!”

And so it turned out, with Pearl Of Asia coming from stone last for home at the beginning of the home straight, to win going away at any price – although the tote win dividend of R18-10 suggested some loyalty and support.

“I thought at about the 300m that if the gaps open now, I have just about got them.  The moment I gave him a touch with the crop he responded and accelerated. Al Sakeet took a different route so he was not in my vision. But in the final few yards I heard him bearing down on me – but then we were safely home!”

Serino concedes that racing behind closed doors lacks atmosphere, but he was in an ecstatic bubble all of his own as he returned to the winner’s enclosure.

“It felt surreal. I was over the moon. I must thank my family, Mr Hill’s team and Rocky Agrella for the confidence and support. I hope it’s a turning point for the season ahead.”

Up until Saturday, Serino’s career highpoint was the bizarre 21,25 length runaway by Run Rhino Run at Hollywoodbets Greyville in October 2017.

“That was an unbelievable race. We intended to give him a chance but he was so determined and I decided not to fight him. We were in two different races – the jockey leading the second pack assumed I was out of the race as we were all over the place. That horse was a character – but had rocks in his head.”

The Meyersdal-raised Serino tells how he joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2012 alongside Diego de Gouveia, Callan Murray and Tristan Godden.

“I wasn’t much of a student or sportsman at school – I suppose that’s why I became a jockey,” he laughs as he tells of a tough initial experience.

“I was just too young and immature in my first year and battled to adapt. I left the Academy at the end of that same year and went back home.”

But a job riding work at the James Maree school saw him recognised by none other than legendary trainer Ormond Ferraris.

“Mr Ferraris asked me why I am not race riding. I explained what happened. What an amazing man he is. He wrote to Martin Ball at the Joburg Academy. In a matter of months, Diego (de Gouveia) and I were race riding as apprentices in Zimbabwe.”

While in Zimbabwe, a more mature Serino says his confidence grew. He rode his first winner – Princess Kate – for Gokhan Terzi and also bagged another three.

He returned to South Africa in 2016 but it wasn’t easy.

“In five months I only had four rides I think. But Byron Foster and Andre Nel gave me a chance and then one can grow as winners engender confidence and you get noticed.”

Serino came out of his time in 2019 and with his Winning Form backing he now has the world at his feet.

“I must thank Winning Form for the great support and the privilege of having me in their stable. What a lovely and generous gesture by them to hand me a cheque of R20 000 as an incentive for having ridden a Gr1 winner. I cannot thank them enough. It’s an honour to be associated with an industry leading brand.”

Serino is also keen to look further afield to up his game. He finished 20^th on the national log with 42 winners. That’s riding only in KZN.

“Up until now I have never really travelled as covid has really turned things upside down. I have no weight problems at 52kgs. So I am very fortunate and intend to try and spread my wings and create more opportunities in other centres this season.”

Serino thanked all those that had sent him messages of support after his memorable day.

“My family have always been there for me, but I have had so many other congratulatory messages. Thank you to everybody. I am still on cloud nine!”

He said that the passing of his mentor Stephen Jupp on the same day had cast a dark cloud.

“If I may, I’d like to send my condolences to the family of Mr Stephen Jupp. I was shocked to hear of his passing. He was my mentor when I really needed somebody to look up to. He inspired and encouraged me in dark days. He was a wonderful man who understood this profession and racing. I will ride every winner this season in his honour.”