Ashburton-based trainers punch well above their weight if one considers numbers – horses and trainers – and the quality of horse stabled there. There are only ten trainers based at the picturesque training centre situated on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg and most of the horses housed there did not set the sales ring alight.

The biggest and strongest yards belong to Gr1 winning trainers Duncan Howells and Weiho Marwing. Howells has been champion KZN trainer and is currently heading the local log while Marwing has quickly settled in since relocating from Turffontein and came within an objection of winning the Vodacom Durban July with Wylie Hall.

But the smaller yards are also doing their part as they battle the economy and a dearth of owner support and between them saddled five winners over this past weekend. Paul Gadsby, Des Egdes and Howells had a winner apiece along with Gary Rich and Steven Janse van Rensburg while Lowan Denysschen saddled two seconds.

Rich and Janse van Rensburg are two relatively recent additions to the Ashburton ranks. Rich is the son of July winning trainer Des Rich (Lightning Shot) who also trained at Ashburton before his death. Gary started his training career at Ashburton before turning his hand to working at the South African Jockeys Academy where he worked for seven years.

But he missed training and when the offer came from Adam Kethro in Mooi River he jumped at the opportunity. That lasted for just over four years before they parted company.

“I was at a loose end but couldn’t find a job,” surmised Rich. “My age probably counted against me so eventually I decided to start out on my own again.”

“It’s been tough going but I’m enjoying it much more this time around,” he said.

Rich has had five winners since his return, most recently Roy’s Twilight for prolific owner Roy Moodley introduced to Rich by good friend Warren Lenferna. Roy’s Twilight had poor form before arriving in Rich’s yard. “After I started working her I couldn’t believe that her form was that bad,” said the trainer. He was correct in his assessment and after showing marked improvement at her first two starts for Rich, the daughter of Al Miqdaam shed her maiden third time out.

She followed up at her next start at Scottsville on Sunday. “It was a surprise but not really a surprise if that makes any sense,” he laughs. “She was working well but I didn’t think she could win two in a row.”

Steven Janse van Rensburg is the most recent arrival in Ashburton after relocating from Port Elizabeth. Van Rensburg started in Gauteng, working for Leon Erasmus for four years before joining the late ‘Oom’ Nic Claassen when he moved from the Vaal to Port Elizabeth.

“I worked for Oom Nic for 16 years and have been on my own for five years now,” he said.

He moved to Ashburton at the beginning of the year. “I suppose I was looking for better opportunities,” he said when quizzed on his move. Janse van Rensburg has 18 horses at the moment and has had two winners since relocating, the favourite Dhaamer obliging at Greyville on Friday night.

By Andrew Harrison