Randjesfontein-based Highveld trainer Mano Pandaram is one of the newest trainers in South Africa, having had his first runners in his name in January last year.
He is clearly good at what he does because he had his first winner with just his fifth runner and on Saturday he raided KZN with two runners and both of them won.
His chief mission on Saturday was with the two-year-old maiden Kudikaran.
This The United States gelding started 15/10 favourite for a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m.
He had previously put in two fine runs on the Highveld, finishing a 3,20 length third to the exciting prospect Turn It Up over 1160m on debut followed by a 4,30 length fourth of four in the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery over 1160m.
Mano grew up in a family who were members of Durban’s famously passionate population of Indian punters and hence he often names his horses as a reflection of his culture.
He said, “There are a lot of Indians in racing and it is also good to add your own footprint and flair to racing by bringing in your own beliefs and culture. It is also imformative, because everyone will then ask what the name means.”
Some of the names have historical associations and others have humorous associations etc.
Truro Legacy is an example of a horse he named to reflect history as his name refers to the SS Truro, the ship that brought the first 342 indentured Indian labourers to South Africa.
Kudikaran, on the other hand, is a humorous term derived from the Tamil language referring to a person who drinks too much.
Kudikaran certainly did not run like a drunkard.
The athletic colt broke well from draw two under Serino Moodley, although he did jump sideways to his left.
However, he managed to track back and find the rail, where he sat on the quarters of the leader Tiger Magic.
It was a bit concerning that he had not had cover throughout, but he nevertheless kicked well coming off the false rail to join Tiger Magic in front.
A thrilling three-way battle ensued between that pair and Scots Wae Hae on the inside.
However, it was Kudikaran who found extra under pressure in the final 100m to win by 0,40 lengths from Tiger Magic with Scots Wae Hae next best.
Considering it did not pan out perfectly for him, Kudukaran looks to have a bright future.
Mano said on Monday, “He is eating up nicely and moving well, so we are considering going for The Sales race at Turffotein on Sunday (R400,000 4Racing SA Sales Cup over 1160m).”
He added, “If he is not all well for that then I will lean towards bringing him down to Hollywoodbets Scottsville at the end of the month. There is no rush and there are quite a few options.”
He said about Kudikaran’s ideal distance, “He is not a sprinting type, but I knew he would settle going around the Greyville turn and I knew he would have the speed for the 400m burst. Babies mature at different rates so although he’s looking for further, he is still maintaining his speed, so you don’t try and change the horse while he still has sprinting ability. If he was not showing speed anymore then I would wait for Hollywoodbets Greyville and go for the 1400m, but 1200m looks to be the right distance for him at the moment.”
Mano bought Kudikaran at the BSA Nationals after first spotting him on a tour of the stud farms.
He said, “He caught my eye conformationally and was one of the horses I had marked in my catalogue.”
He had to splash out R800,000 to secure him.
Mano also brought the maiden Snow Moon down to Durban for the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting and he won a D Stakes event over 1400m on the poly.
Many were surprised Mano was taking on winners with a maiden having his 17th start, but he said, “He was qualified at the ratings he was running in. Being a bit of an older horse he had stregthened up nicely and was beginning to show some nice work. I also thought he would enjoy the poly because he shows strong work on the sand at home.”
Snow Moon was also in fact well weighted under the D Stakes Conditions and was actually officially 2kg better off than the favourite Gorgeous Dude.
Nevertheless, he went off at 33/1.
He was handy and enjoyed the good pace as a horse who would have preferred further.
Tristan Godden also wisely gave him room to use his big stride and he ran on well in the straight to just get up.
Some were surprised Mano was able to get his trainer’s licence after doing just two years as an assistant.
However, he in actual fact only had a “closed” trainer’s license, meaning he was only able to train his own horses.
He owns all 35 of his horses, but he can train for others now, because a closed license automatically becomes an open one after a year.
Mano’s interest in the sport began with betting, which he and his family and many others in the Durban community view as less of a gamble than games of chance as it offers the opportunity to “crunch the numbers and beat the system.”
He himself was particularly attracted to the top races like the July and the Daily News.
Mano was a successful businessman and when he could afford it he decided to venture into ownership with the backing of his family.
One horse became two and it steadily expanded.
Alec Laird was his first trainer, then he moved over to Ashley and Andrew Fortune and then Mike Azzie.
He said, “I could see things were not settling wherever I went, so I applied first for my stables employee license and then my assistant’s license.”
He worked out of Paul Matchett’s yard while becoming qualified.
Mano puts a lot of thought into feed and horse care, as well as his training regimes,and uses the most advanced methods.
He spares no expense and leaves no stone unturned.
He is capable of thinking out of the box and looks likely to go places in a profession he is obviously enjoying and getting a lot of satisfaction out of.
He comes with one of the best references too, from the legendary Piere Strydom, who described him as one of the nicest trainers to ride for as he said he did not put jockeys under any unnecessary pressure.
