By MIKE DILLON
Mark Du Plessis did not leave Zimbabwe because of the political danger, but says he would not go back even if things calmed down.
His luck in the saddle in New Zealand has been too good to turn his back on.
Even more appealing is New Zealand itself.
"People don't realise how lucky they are to live in New Zealand," he said after booting home a winning treble at Ellerslie on Saturday.
"They complain about the price of petrol going up without appreciating this is a magnificent country - far and away better than any country in Africa."
Du Plessis was champion Zimbabwean jockey in 1988, but was looking for a change.
His mother's brother has lived in Auckland since 1980, but the Kiwi contact was really through the volume of horses bought from New Zealand by Tony Reilly, the trainer he predominantly rode for in Zimbabwe.
"Tony bought many of them from Russell Warwick and through a contact made with Russell I was introduced to Ginger Tankard and I decided to have a crack."
Du Plessis arrived in November 1998, rode 11 winners in his first half season then set himself a target of 30 this season. Saturday's treble took him to 34 with two months to run.
He says he knew it would be difficult to start with, not the least consideration being his greatly different English style in the saddle.
"Also, the tracks here are much tighter than I had been used to and the pace is faster in races. The horses are a better class than in Zimbabwe, too."
For a jockey, breaking into a new environment can be difficult. Timing is crucial because first impressions are often difficult to shake. Du Plessis says the support of Russell Warwick and Cambridge trainer Royce Dowling were the telling factors.
"Had it not been for the two of them I would have gone home.
"Royce has stuck with me with his good filly Durzetta all season and I really appreciate his help."
The Cambridge-based jockey was delighted the first of his three winners on Saturday, La Trion, was one of Dowling's. He followed up with Kat Ballou and Vyner's Lane.
Through all his hard work to establish his career here, Du Plessis has had a worrying distraction this year - his sister Mandy and her husband Lourens Erasmus farm in Zimbabwe.
"It has been hard thinking of them, but they seem to be okay."
Du Plessis recently married Barbara Marks, daughter of leading veterinarian Jim Marks, and is looking for a bright future here.
"This game is all about getting on the right horses and, fortunately, I seem to be getting a lot of support lately."
Put that down to Du Plessis' willingness and hard working attitude.
Racing: Mark's move finally paying off
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