Connect with us

Racing

Is It Superman or Flash Gordon?

Henk Steenkamp

Jockey Denis Schwarz might consider a career move if he takes up the advice of his colleagues.

Schwarz took a bad tumble while riding Chloe’s Dancer in the fourth race at Friday’s Fairview Turf meeting.

Onlookers feared Schwarz was injured but he impressed and surprised all and sundry when he flew up straight away and got off the track.

“I saw that auditions opened for the main role in the next Superman movie. After what I saw today I think you must go for it,” fellow jockey Jason Gates urged Schwarz in a chat later at the meeting.

Jockeys Charles Ndlovu and Kabelo Matsunyane supported the Gates proposal and Schwarz was urged on to get footage of his fall and send it to the Superman producers.

If Schwarz did make contact with Hollywood is unsure but he was just happy to walk away from the fall without injuries.

What made his Superman status grow even bigger was that he produced a fine ride two races after his fall to win race six with Flash Lightning for the Jacques Strydom stable.

“It was a shocking fall but I got up quickly so that the horse didn’t go over me. I’m just glad to be safe and be able to ride the winner for the Strydom team,” Schwarz said.

As the winner he rode is named Flash Lightning the other option for Schwarz is to take up the role of another superhero Flash Gordon but racing fans would probably be happiest if Denis sticks to riding winners.

 

This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.

Henk Steenkamp is a seasoned sports journalist based in Gqeberha, with over 40 years of experience covering rugby, cricket, and horse racing. A true expert on racing at Fairview in the Eastern Cape, Henk is a regular presence at this venue, rarely missing a meeting. He has been a judge for the East Cape Racing Awards since 2007 and served as the convenor of the panel since 2021. Known for his sharp insights, Henk has won numerous horse racing tipping competitions, famously under the alias "Henk Se Wenk." A former Media24 Sports and Racing Editor, he now contributes weekly columns on racing and school sports for community publications. With a passion for watching sport live or on television, his favourite bet remains the Place Accumulator - at Fairview of course!

More in Racing