It was a Sunday to remember at Hollywoodbets Scottsville for 18 year old 4kg-claimer Trent Mayhew when he encountered some N3 level traffic in running, yet somehow conjured up a Houdini-like escape to secure a career first winner.
Riding the 10-1 Dandolo for Tony Rivalland in the fifth, a 1000m www.tabgold.co.za MR 84 Handicap, Trent went for gaps that weren’t really there on the 6yo, but kept his head to switch in late before riding a well-balanced finish to dead-heat in an either-way thriller with the Van Zyl 33-10 Quandary, who gave Sporting Post-sponsored Athandiwe Mgudlwa his season icebreaker.
Happy to share! Athandiwe Mgudlwa and Trent Mayhew pose for Candiese Lenferna after the nailbiter
It was a top ride by Mayhew who managed to share the spoils on a horse that was reluctant to go to the start and fly-jumped. To get up and collar one of our most improved riders in Athandiwe Mgudlwa was a decent effort.
Our often maligned handicappers would also have enjoyed the finish with just a half length seperating the quartet.
Trent Mayhew drives Dandolo (closest to camera) through to snare a dead-heat with Quandary, who is out of the photo (Pic- Candiese Lenferna)
A son of trainer Craig Mayhew, and brother-in-law to Ryan Munger, the Vereeniging-born Trent graduated through the Workrider ranks and was enjoying his 20th ride, and boasts a new season strike-rate of 50%!
Quoted at 25-2 with Hollywoodbets to win the SA Champion Jockey title, Muzi Yeni grabbed three on the day to lead the national title with 8 winners.
Odds-on favourite Richard Fourie is on holiday so the tearaway Yeni may be a man to watch this month.
Sporting Post rider Tristan Godden rode a double for the Mike Miller yard and will be pleased with his start to the new term.
Enjoy the replay of the fifth:
The next local racemeeting is on Tuesday at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
