Island Racing

Love it or hate it, racing returns on this Saturday!

Once again I will doing a small preview for Saturday mornings.
I will also be doing the parade ring and canter down!

Then a bomb was dropped on me 2 weeks ago when I was told I would have to call the races as well as Mauritian racing will be broadcast to other countries around the world and they looking for 1 person to do all. Ive put hours of practice in but I can tell you its the hardest thing Ive ever had to do! Commentators make it sound so damn easy, in fact I have a new found respect for them!

I reckon as the meetings past I will get better and better at it as the confidence grows and hopefully one day be able to sound like I know what Im doing!

Be gentle with the comments Saturday evening! :whistle:

Mauritian owners have invested heavily this year with over 150 new horses arriving. Im sure its gonna be a great season and hopefully I can guide you as best I can, specially in the beginning of the season where fitness is a big issue.

Some SA Jocks are here including Weichong, Derreck David and I hear JP Van Der Merwe will be joining soon.

Those of you that play Mauritian racing, I wish you all the best for the season.

Good luck Mark.

Mark all the best...

Just a few thoughts...

racing returns to the island after a short break...how long will it take the stables to start getting their horses ready to race.....

OR do they have to run as if THEY WERE STANDING IN THEIR BOXES AND WILL NEED THE RUNS TO COME ON?????

Thanks Mark & all the best. We have always appreciated your previews !!!

DOCTOR R wrote: Mark all the best...

Just a few thoughts...

racing returns to the island after a short break...how long will it take the stables to start getting their horses ready to race.....

OR do they have to run as if THEY WERE STANDING IN THEIR BOXES AND WILL NEED THE RUNS TO COME ON?????

Hi Doctor R

Racing finishes 1st week of December but the training track only closes for a couple of weeks over Xmas and New Year. Training started on the 8th January although it was light work building up in Feb and March to normal work.

The thing is this year we've had so much rain in the 1st 3 months and training has been interrupted on a couple of occasions. In past years some trainers have had there horses fitter than others because they've started getting them fitter earlier but in my opinion this year I reckon all the yards are in the same boat as the tracks have not been good enough to do a lot of fast work.
In fact we were suppose to start last week but because of all the interruptions they delayed it another week.

Good luck Mark

Thanks Mark.

I am sure you will do well calling the races.

I usually stay out from any bets for the 1st 2 or 3 race meetings

Good luck Mark, you will do well commentating.

Wishing you all the best mate, the more you do it the better you'll get

All the best with the commentating,Mark. Please do not answer your cell during the race(like a Kapie did once upon a time) or call the horses (Soweto taxis) like a Joster commentator did. lol

Good luck Mark.Glad to hear the calling will be done by a ex-Jockey..You might surprise us all.
B t w is there a site where we can see the entries and final fields ?

Nic Botes wrote: Good luck Mark.Glad to hear the calling will be done by a ex-Jockey..You might surprise us all.
B t w is there a site where we can see the entries and final fields ?

Try this link and let me know if its ok.

www.mauritiusturfclub.com/index.php/en/racing/racecards