Journalists in South Africa

How can any racing journalist write a piece and not get the day correct...:

JACK MILNER: IF anybody has doubts as to whether Geoff Woodruff’s yard is back in form, all they need do is study Saturday’s Turffontein results.

He won two races on the day, including the Listed Spook Express Handicap over 2600m with Justthewayyouare, and Race 9 where he finished first and second as The White Horse beat The Happy Heart by 0.50 lengths. In Race 6 Blue Baby Jean dead-heated for second with Waley’s Camp, just a neck off winner Follow The Piper; while African Love went down a head to Vivid in Race 7.

However, the cherry on the top was undoubtedly Justthewayyouare, who Woodruff feels is a “very nice filly”. She was trying this sort of distance for the first time and halfway up the straight it looked as if she would finish second to long-time leader Duncton Quest, who had built up a big lead.

Jockey Derreck David was not to be denied and the daughter of Fort Wood started closing ground quickly on the leader. Sean Tarry’s filly shortened her stride in the last stretch and that enabled Justthewayyouare to swoop into the lead and extend her advantage to 2.25 lengths at the finish. Salutation never got into contention and was another 2.25 lengths back in third.

Justthewayyouare started bookmakers’ favourite at 2-1 with Salutation, who was the Tote favourite, at 22-10. Duncton Flow, who ran a brave race in defeat, was next best at 9-2.

“Her last start was over 1600m up the Vaal straight and she really struggled to quicken,” said Woodruff. “I always believed she needed further.”

Her next race could well be the Grade 2 SA Oaks on 30 April, where she will be taking on Triple Tiara-seeking Igugu.

Do you think he knows which year it is??

typical useless again, no proof reading is done i can tell you that...same old story.

One of the most common mistakes in copy comes when you submit a piece for e.g. "he said yesterday". When u wrote it yesterday was Saturday but on Monday when it appears in the paper yesterday is Sunday. Some sub-editors seem to take your yesterday literally, so in this case will put "he said on Saturday." Others recognise that you have already made provisions for the article apearing the next day. I have learnt when I remember to put for e.g. "he said yesterday (Sunday)'.

Unbelievable that it hasn't even been corrected yet...:S

piss poor.

As discussed before, the real problem with racing "journalism" is that the opportunities currently available for Turf Writers in most countries have shrunk to historic lows. The rise of the Internet has put the budgets of newspapers in the deep freeze and the first jobs to go are those for sports now considered to be marginal, such as horse racing. The jobs that remain are ones provided by racing associations, such as Phumelela or Gold Circle. They are operated not by publishers or editors, but by businessmen.

So you have a writer like Nicci Garner. She focuses on her favorite subject, Mike de Kock, and to the exclusion of virtually everybody else. And nobody at Phumelela pays any attention. So why would they pay attention to typos and incorrect facts?

The Internet has added more space for commentary about the goings on of the Turf, but by and large those operating the websites either are paid publicists for trainers or businessmen that lack training as writers, editors or publishers.

When I was a Turf Writer, I was fortunate to have been able to cover racing in an era when real newspapermen and women walked the press boxes of America and Europe. In those days the thought of using a publicity handout was tantamount to being a traitor. Today, racing's publications would not survive without such handouts generated by hacks paid by businesses that seek coverage.

Fortunately, South African racing still has Dave Mollet and David Thiselton, professional Turf Writers with a wealth of knowledge and experience that are surviving and continuing to churn out quality pieces in spite of the environment. I try not to think about what happens when Mollet disappears.

i notice mr harold sterley has tipped his exotics in computaform based on an 8 race card...lol

Was talking to Charl P on Facebook,his book is out soon(tu)

pirates Wrote:

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> i notice mr harold sterley has tipped his exotics
> in computaform based on an 8 race card...lol


Also saw that - pathetic

Greg hope your not doing the proof reading for the Peter Miller article on tabonline (td)