Smiley Moosa

easy & c n c:

From what I know, Smiley is coaching youngsters in Laudium.

He does have an amazing photographic memory!

There were times he would come to my place (after he was banned/retrenched...by Graeme Hawkins he claims), look at the race card, switch off the TV sound, and call the horses by name from their colours!

I believe that's what he would do whenever he was at a TAB or bookie and punters would be amazed! More so, as he would call the right ones in a finish and the official commentator something else!

Pity!

I posted this March 2008

SMILEY "GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE"

Posted by: scotia ()
Date: March 11, 2008 11:16AM

I read an article the other day in the "Daily Sun" by Ronny Madikane, and tried to get an email copy, but here is the highlights.

Smiley Moosa, a legend to many punters has been given a chance to further his career as a racehorse commentator.

Moosa fell ill in 2000 and was only able to try and find work again in 2003, when he had fully recovered.

He has had a hard time trying to get back into the game he loves after his 3 year absence.

He has kept knocking on doors and a few weeks ago Phumelela granted him permission to call a meeting at Borrowdale.

He started commentating on 26th Sept 1988 at Newmarket and in 1996 he was the official commentator at Bloemfontien.

He is remembered by many for spreading the gospel of horseracing to the non-white community and gained popularity through visiting the Tab agencies, Scotia remembers his visit to Bosman Street in the "good old days".

Paul Rugg the man in charge in Zim had high praise for his work and I quote " I am sure with more opportunities behind the mic he will return to his absolute best, he is certainly of the best callers in Southern Africa".

Note! on the back of this I would like us to support a comeback for Smiley, I am not interested in the past or any detail on what may have happened, imvho, I see the situation as follows.

We have lost Hawkeye, Clyde has a big job on his hands, Shaheen will improve with practice, but we have a chap who loves the game and is desperate for another chance and I feel we should give him this opportunity.

In addition, it will give Clyde a chance to socialise on Saturdays visiting tables and listen to the RA members, including a visit to the ABC lads, to listen to all our SHIT! [ what a bonus ].

SCOTIA

scotia:

Yes, there's been a lot of shit in our country's history & most of it forgiven, or, relegated to history!

Smiley needs another chance; he's learnt a lesson (if there was one)!

Who will bell the cat?

I thought he was terrible, sure call his calling different, but that doesn't make it neither good or professional but to me his rants were quite childish and embarrassing at times. Having said that I also think Nico K is useless aswell with way too much shouting and excitement being almost forced into every one of his commentaries, as for "Shaine", listen to his calling with you're eyes closed or on the radio and you can't believe you're watching the same race, he's got no idea how horses are travelling and is calling horses 20 lengths back with no chance of winning while the leaders are inside the last half furlong.

Very poor indeed , reckon Clyde Basel, Graemem Hawkins, Craig Peters and perhaps Jahane Malherbe in that order.