A letter from Smiley Moosa

Thanks was not aware of that so what was the charge that would give better in sight to the reasons behind what happened.

elmer Wrote:

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> What disease did he suffer from?
> Was it self inflicited ?

What is that ?

Cohen top class, right man for the job, fits well in all departments

This whole debacle with Smiley started some years ago.I think, I speak under correction,it happened after a race commentary in which Smiley compared the winning horse to that of a Soweto taxi.Immediately after that he was taken off the air.I still believe he is one of the best commentators around.

I believe he had what was termed at the time a a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized for some time but in the months leading up to the breakdown he had created quite a stir and alienated a lot of people...

One HAS to feel for this passionate race-caller and racing man as there are others in positions who have destroyed a large part of our country's racing heritage but continue to hold office and feed in the troughs while the racing declines, with no conscience or concern for the consequences.

Perpetual Wrote:

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> Smiley...what a modest chap! Top 3 footballer in
> SA - go fly a kite! Commentators? Hell - give me
> break- The Duffields, Jehan, Rouvanne, Eagle eye -
> That's 5 - Smiley- give it a rest!

Sorry... I responded to an old post.

pirates Wrote:

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> winzip Wrote:
>

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>

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> > in cape town we use to love smileys
> > commentaries.he was streets ahead of some of
> the
> > commentators we have to listen to these days
> and
> > for those of you who dont know, it was smiley
> who
> > first called anton marcus superman in a
> memorable
> > call.loved his calling of night racing at
> > newmarket.
> > dont know why he isnt just given a chance to
> call
> > again.he was very good in his day.
>
>
> racing industry hasnt got the leaders which it
> desperately needs...we have just had the passing
> of the greatest leader and statesman of modern
> times and you would think the industry would apply
> some his skills but sadly they wont and it will
> continue to harbour grudges and put people into
> positions that they not qualified to do and
> mediocrity shall prevail...after all these years
> surely time to bury the hatchet with smileyand
> move on

Momentous day today, Obama and Raul shaking hands.
I hope that this gesture will open dialogue between USA and Cuba in the future.

rob faux Wrote:

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> easy Wrote:
>

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>

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> > If a man manufactures 200mm tins and another
> man
> > doing the same job always has tins at 199mm
> then
> > one can compare the 2 and sack/retrain the one
> > that is incorrect.
> >
> > With commentating its so personal, how can
> anyone
> > be sacked....it can only be opinion.
>
> You answered your own question.............he
> wasn't fired over his ability to
> commentate...............there is more to being a
> worthwhile employee than the basic product. Read
> his 2 letters on this thread and ask yourself
> whether you would want to employ or manage that
> ego?

cos maybe he had ruffled a few white feathers and refused to say Baas... just saying... can't think of anything else

rob faux Wrote:

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> RobScott Wrote:
>

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>

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> > To be honest I hate posts like this as someone
> > said earlier opinions are like $&@ holes
> everyone
> > has them. Personally I don't miss smiley as when
> I
> > have backed the second horse I don't need to
> hear
> > the winner came home with the jockey smoking a
> > cigar!!!!!!! I think there are two sides to
> every
> > story as I am sure the operators would love to
> > employ a guy or lady of color to call races so
> > think the race card is not an option here, take
> a
> > guy like Rivaun he is top class irrespective of
> > color IMO. Also not sure what NHRA and RA have
> to
> > do with this as they do not employ staff for
> the
> > operators.
>
> Gavin Venter's situation was officially determined
> by a breach of NHRA rule of "bringing racing into
> disrepute"..................I am lead to believe
> that Smiley's situation was similar.

" bringing racing into disrepute" is very vague. Maybe they should elaborate.
I personally liked Gavin as well.

RobScott Wrote:

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> To be honest I hate posts like this as someone
> said earlier opinions are like $&@ holes everyone
> has them. Personally I don't miss smiley as when I
> have backed the second horse I don't need to hear
> the winner came home with the jockey smoking a
> cigar!!!!!!! I think there are two sides to every
> story as I am sure the operators would love to
> employ a guy or lady of color to call races so
> think the race card is not an option here, take a
> guy like Rivaun he is top class irrespective of
> color IMO. Also not sure what NHRA and RA have to
> do with this as they do not employ staff for the
> operators.

....similarly, owners and punters don't want to hear there horse "ran last"