Apprentice Greg Saves Day

4 February 1996

JACK Denham's apprentice Greg Bugg threw his life on the line at Rosehill Gardens yesterday.

Bugg was without a ride at the meeting but strapped the "boom" youngster Zayedi in the Itchy Feet Superfecta (1,200m).

Having his first start Zayedi was the subject of mammoth support when starting even money favourite but despite Bugg's heroic efforts punters were left feeling sick.

A highly strung beast, Zayedi had to be just about floated to the track from his stable adjacent to the track and was last to enter the mounting enclosure.

Bugg was leading Zayedi up the race from the stalls to the saddling enclosure when the cantankerous mount, Master Builder dislodged jockey Glen Boss.

A startled Master Builder, took off at full gallop down the race and was heading straight for Zayedi.

Bugg's view of the incident was laconic, "I just moved to the outside rail and prayed," he said.

Former Sydney Morning Herald racing editor, Bill Whittaker, witnessed the incident and paid tribute to Bugg.

"The young strapper threw his life on the line. He shielded Zayedi from Master Builder, it was a fine piece of horsemanship," Whittaker said.

"Jack Denham is entitled to pay him a lot more."

Despite Bugg's heroics Zayedi got the staggers as the finishing line loomed after being given a cosy run in front by form jockey Darren Beadman.

With huge wraps on the three-year-old Zayedi quickly got to the rail and appeared to be travelling comfortably mid-race.

Entering the straight Zayedi appeared to have the opposition safely held.

But with only 30m to go, Zayedi hit the wall and was caught by Solved while Kidman's Cove (16-1) motored home outwide.

In a thrilling finish Kidman's Cove got the verdict in a photo with a short head to Solved while Zayedi was a further long neck away in third place.

As for Bugg, he was last seen leading Zayedi back down the race to the raceday stalls.

No doubt Jack Denham will slip a little extra into his pay packet this week.


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