Ride of the Month: Aldo Domeyer

We’ve come through the worst of the winter and spring is in the air. July was one of the wettest Cape winters ever and August wasn’t much better, although we managed to get four race meetings staged. Having said that, there were a number of rides which caught my eye and made me think long and hard about how to categorise them.

The first eye-catching ride was by Richard Fourie on Radicchio on 1st August at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. He came from a wide draw (10 out of 10) over the mile and he produced his run from wide out and got up to beat Oswald Noach on the line.

Grant van Niekerk made my shortlist when he rode Knockout to win over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 3 August. He was a 14/1 outsider but bided his time and came from stone last to mow them all down.

Later in that meeting Keanan Steyn put up his hand for shortlist inclusion. He rode Beneath The Moon who was a one-time winner having her first start and having just turned five. She is probably best suited over 1400m, but this was a 1200m race. Knowing that she could go further he rode her positively and he needs to be patted on the back for the ride.

Another good ride on that day came from Luyolo Mxothwa on Sudden Song. He is a difficult horse to ride but he got him up late.

Also worth a mention is Oswald on Heart Stealer on the 23rd and then Pumi Mjoka on the 31st, when Aspect made it five wins in a row, which is never easy.

But my ride of the month came on the 17th August when Aldo Domeyer won on Otto Luyken over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. The race was aptly-named after current champion jockey Richard Fourie and Aldo did it justice. 

He did go off 18/10 favourite but was carrying 60.5kg. Aldo had him right up there with the pace but then he looked beaten with 200m to go. But he rallied under Aldo’s urgings and got up late to pip Blue Bay.

MJ’s previous rides of the month

May: Oswald Noach – Little Miss Pink

June: Craig Zackey – Green Isle

July: Corne Orffer – Master Redoute