Jockey Craig Zackey hits back at critics who say local riders are ‘soft’

Cape Town racing folk must surely be ombrophobes by now. That’s the word for people who hate or fear rain.

Wet weather has been the bane of the city in recent months, with what locals are calling “the hundred-year rain”.

News reports in June quoted weather experts as saying, at that stage, Cape Town had had more rain than in the previous 47 years – and no-one seems to have the energy to update that figure as they stare gloomily at more clouds rolling in from the ocean.

Race meetings have been postponed, abandoned and curtailed. The Durbanville season has been hammered – with water from the heavens and from an underground stream beneath the country course in full spate.

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Ombrophobia is reaching crisis levels with the first major Durbanville meeting of the term looming this weekend – and the R200,000 Listed Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy topping the card. Heritage Day is the
inspiration for a planned festive occasion, with braaing and potjiekos playing a key part and organisers hoping for a big turnout.

When Tuesday’s meeting was called off after three races – due to a dangerous wet area on the track, 600m from the winning post – out-of-the-box thinker Greg Botz and his Cape Racing team came up with the bright idea to deploy “covers” on critical areas of the track. Big party tents have been pitched to protect precious bits of turf from predicted rain on Thursday and Friday.

And hydro engineers are busy digging trenches to drain water from the soggiest parts.

The good news is that no precipitation is predicted for Saturday itself, when a smart field goes to post in the Settlers.

Zackey reacts to critics

As is usual when racing is disrupted by rain, some members of the hoi polloi have blamed local jockeys for being too “soft” and scared to work in the mud – apparently in contrast to their US and UK counterparts who cheerfully keep riding in slop.

Top jockey Craig Zackey hit back in a Sporting Post Facebook post, pointing out that it was the inconsistency of the Durbanville surface that had made conditions perilous recently.

“We would race any day of the week on a track that’s slosh, but it must be consistently that! Not where the track is soft with a very bad inconsistent softer patch,” said Zackey.

He also said the jockeys were not ninnies and were desperate to race as they were losing out financially with no rides.