Prospects are looking up for former J&B Met-winning trainer Yogas Govender at Summerveld after a slow start to his post Sabine Plattner training career.

Govender’s small string of unfashionably bred horses-in-training, which has seen him contesting only 22 races with ten horses since his post Plattner debut at Greyville last June, has now changed complexion completely.

He now has a string of 40 and 33 of these are two-year-olds.

Govender confirmed he had never been one to rush two-year-olds, so both he and his patrons will require plenty of patience.

He said, “It is going to be a waiting game and the key is the very good and understanding owners I have and they also understand racing. We will always do what we do in the best interests of the horse and ultimately we set out to ensure they have long and successful careers and hopefully reach Black Type status.”

In other Govender news jockey Billy Jacobson has joined the yard.

Govender spoke of the importance of a senior jockey working the string everyday and providing vital feedback.

He also believes many of the jockeys outside of the top echelons just need to be given a chance to prove themselves and the potential swing in fortunes then has a snowballing affect.

He cited Karl Zechner, currently eighth on the national log, as a good example.

By David Thiselton