Just over six weeks since making a remarkable comeback to the saddle, former multiple champion apprentice Chad Little celebrated an emotional icebreaker at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.
Chad Little steers Azzurri to victory as the obscured Mela Strength (Calvin Habib) and Beer With The Boys (JP van der Merwe) chase hard (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Riding Azzurri in the Class 5 third race for the in-form Lucinda Woodruff yard, Chad rode for his life to get the Pomodoro gelding’s head down to pip Calvin Habib and Mela Strength in an exciting finish under sunny skies.
It was his first visit to the winner’s enclosure since returning to race-riding six weeks earlier, and his first winner since booting African Adventure home for Joey Soma at Turffontein on 19 July 2019.
“I cannot thank all the people that have helped me to get to this point. They know who they are,” added a tearful Chad who overcame drug addiction issues that threatened to destroy his life.
“This feels bigger than my first winner, Tachinga, for Vaughan Marshall on 2 March 2000. I am so grateful,” he reflected.
Glen and Kathi Kotzen’s Woodhill Racing Team opened the door initially for the 40 year old when giving him an opportunity to ride work. Glen wished Chad well and said he was sure it would be the first of many now that the ice was broken.
Winning trainer Lucinda Woodruff marked a nice race-to-race double after Sohot Sowhat won the second race and said that she was proud to have given Chad his winner.
“We screamed like it was a Grade 1! Full marks to Chad and it was a determined and well-balanced ride too!”
