Derreck David

No disrespect to DD but as an owner you have very few chances of having a reasonable crack at the most famous race in Africa. As an owner your choices are the new kid on the block or a proven international talent.

You want to win this badly, you know the horse has got the talent as an almost triple crown winner and you have these choices before you. What do you do? I know what I would do.

Alcaponee Wrote:

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> No disrespect to DD but as an owner you have very
> few chances of having a reasonable crack at the
> most famous race in Africa. As an owner your
> choices are the new kid on the block or a proven
> international talent.
>
> You want to win this badly, you know the horse has
> got the talent as an almost triple crown winner
> and you have these choices before you. What do you
> do? I know what I would do.

I think Mickael Barzalona (19 years) on his win in the Epsom Derby on Pou Moi proved the new kid on the block theory wrong. I also read recently in the racingpost that in New Zealand an apprentice jockey will win the championship cos his miles clear at the top. I also remember a young jockey on Invasor winning the Dubai World Cup namely Fernando Jarra at just 19 years. There are plenty other stories like this.

But in hindsight Douglas Whyte is far more accomplished hence the choice albeit at the expense of loyalty.

naresh Wrote:

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> Alcaponee Wrote:
>

---

>

---

> > No disrespect to DD but as an owner you have
> very
> > few chances of having a reasonable crack at the
> > most famous race in Africa. As an owner your
> > choices are the new kid on the block or a
> proven
> > international talent.
> >
> > You want to win this badly, you know the horse
> has
> > got the talent as an almost triple crown winner
> > and you have these choices before you. What do
> you
> > do? I know what I would do.
>
> I think Mickael Barzalona (19 years) on his win in
> the Epsom Derby on Pou Moi proved the new kid on
> the block theory wrong. I also read recently in
> the racingpost that in New Zealand an apprentice
> jockey will win the championship cos his miles
> clear at the top. I also remember a young jockey
> on Invasor winning the Dubai World Cup namely
> Fernando Jarra at just 19 years. There are plenty
> other stories like this.
>
> But in hindsight Douglas Whyte is far more
> accomplished hence the choice albeit at the
> expense of loyalty.


DD is not a top jock yet as the above mentioned. Dougie is world class and DD does not come close.

The best thing to remember here is that we DON'T know what has been said behind closed doors in meetings between Gary and DD. We don't know what deals have been made and we don't know what trade offs have been made. Do I agree with regular jocks being booted off in most cases....NO, but this is different. You have the biggest race on the biggest day for any owner/trainer. Remember the trainer also owns part of this horse. What do you do. You don't just YANK the boy off, you sit him down and you discuss this with him.......probably a good few weeks/months ago.

Also remember that the Alexanders and Dougie go back a LOONNGGGG time! (Not that this has anything to do with that if you know what I mean )

What I'm saying is i'm sure DD is not fully invested in the decision as he would LOVE to ride a July hopeful, but remember that there is always two sides to every story!

Absolutely Tommy..........all the comments have been based on assumptions,which may or may not be true,but other possibilities have to be considered as DD has ,to date ,had a history of fallouts.....could this be one?
Could DD have committed to another ride,which is now not a runner,leaving the stable to replace?...happens a lot...loyalty is a two-way street.
Lets face it,unless somebody knows the whole situation, it is irresponsible to condemn anybody,based on speculation.

....and whats even more glaring is that the people condemning the decision has most likely NEVER been in the position that the Alexanders find themselves in right now. Once they have been forced to make these tough decisions then maybe they would understand how it works??

Rob at what rating do you have Pj on your handicap ?

Agreed Naresh but I may be being a bit hypocritical as I had a bit to say about Richard Fourie returning as stable jock to the Marcus stable in favour of Felix Coetzee a while back. Something on the lines of youthful exuberance versus experience but Felix has shown me the light in his riding since then. I am relatively new punter blood in comparison to many.

Douglas White is a world class KZN boy and i believe the connections are giving their horse the best possible chance. If DW fails it will be acceptable. If DD fails fingers will be pointed.

Most can win on the penalty kick. PJ is not a penalty kick in the race and therefore the best possible rider is required to ensure that the best possible outcome is found.

You cannot buy experience it is earned over time.

If I had a runner I would have Derreck on the horse anyday..

Muzi rode in the July not long ago and rode very well but yes its true we don't know the full story

keniza999 Wrote:

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> Muzi rode in the July not long ago and rode very
> well but yes its true we don't know the full story

Rode Thundering Jet to 4th in 2009 (which made the quartet pay over R 400 000 odd) and Happy Valley 5th last year.

naresh Wrote:

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> keniza999 Wrote:
>

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>

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> > Muzi rode in the July not long ago and rode
> very
> > well but yes its true we don't know the full
> story
>
> Rode Thundering Jet to 4th in 2009 (which made the
> quartet pay over R 400 000 odd) and Happy Valley
> 5th last year.


Muzi is far better than DD. Muzi can compete at any level.