Horse racing: Rising hoop brings hot form to Cairns

Rising apprentice jockey Marnu Potgieter will look to maintain his winning ways at Cairns’ Cannon Park this Thursday.

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Rising apprentice jockey Marnu Potgieter will look to maintain his winning ways at Cairns’ Cannon Park this Thursday.

The former South African hoop rode home four winners in his fourth Queensland TAB meeting at Mackay on Tuesday.

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Jockeys mount their rides at an empty Cannon Park, Woree. The general public are not permitted to attend horse racing due to the government restrictions in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Potgieter, who is apprenticed to Mackay trainer John Manzelmann, has four rides on Thursday – All Bar Surah for Michael Whitehouse and I’m Not Sure, Tapthetill and Mickeys Turf for Stephen Potiris.

“I rode one for Stephen last week and he gave me the opportunity to ride three for him this week,” Potgieter said.

“It’s good to get trainer support from outside (Mackay) as well.”

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Despite COVID-19 delaying his transition to race riding, since making his Queensland riding debut on May 26, Potgieter has ridden five winners and six placegetters in 21 starts.

“A lot of it can be put down to working with John, and having a 4kg allowance,” Potgieter said.

Originally published as Horse racing: Rising hoop brings hot form to Cairns