A KZN owner has taken exception to what he deems to be ‘disparaging’ remarks about the ability of his horse and suggests that in a tough economic climate and testing times for the industry, it is poor sportsmanship for the media to further compound negativity and ‘effectively discriminate against smaller owners and trainers’.
The irony for stalwart and passionate owner Collin Naidoo is that the Yogas Govender trained Querari filly Enrapture stormed home at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday at her third outing.
Sherman Brown steers Enrapture to victory (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
She had been earmarked, quite accurately as it turns out, as one of a ‘Three To Follow’ in the Winning Ways show on 2 September with Paul Lafferty and James Goodman having a bit of a dig.
The show has a wide appeal in the new ‘uncensored’ format on Youtube, but it’s obvious that the duo’s outspoken approach does not always appeal to everybody.
“It might win a race and you will be lucky to catch it in the right race at the right time. Its more of a pink-booker than a black-booker,”chirped the hosts of the popular show that was so cutting edge it was booted off the Tellytrack channel recently.
Co-host James Goodman told the Sporting Post, in response to Mr Naidoo’s criticism, that the show was intended to inform and entertain, and only had the best interests of the sport of racing at heart. He added that comments were made tongue-in-cheek and absolutely never intended to offend any owner or trainer.
“We have had lots of success from the Three To Follow insert. We were having a friendly dig at the guy who suggested the horse. We are honestly thrilled for the owners and the trainer that Enrapture won at her third start and we hope she wins plenty more. We hope Mr Naidoo understands that we were not targeting anybody maliciously,” he added.
Watch the clip here
An owner of many years standing, Mr Naidoo contacted the NHRA and then came to the Sporting Post in a quest for a public apology for what he labelled ‘uneccessary and selective criticism’.
“I keep a lot of horses. I support a variety of stables. I pay my bills. I love the game. I don’t think it’s good practice to have this denigrating type of commentary about a horse that had only run twice – and had already earned a third cheque. Everybody is entitled to a point of view but don’t be nasty,” he added.
“We love the game. No harm intended,” added James Goodman, who reminded racing fans to subscribe to the Winning Ways show on Youtube.
