Racing: New arrival is aiming to emulate famous graduates from South Africa's jockey factory

Karl Zechner is setting himself to be the latest endorsement for the South African Apprentice Riding Academy.

The 21-year-old black African arrived in New Zealand only a week ago and will be riding at Te Aroha on Saturday.

Zechner is here because Te Aroha does not have a lightweight rider or apprentice to ride the centre's 100 horses in training on a daily basis.

Prominent local owner John Carter and trainer Nerilee-Ann Robinson exhausted all avenues to attract a local rider to Te Aroha, then tried to train their own. And when that failed they looked around the world.

Carter approached the South African academy, which recommended Karl Zechner, a rider from Durban.

Carter and Robinson can't believe their luck.

"The academy couldn't say enough about him and I can see why," said Robinson.

After being in New Zealand only a couple of days, Zechner attended last Saturday's big Te Rapa raceday and despite the jet-lag was paying close attention to everything, something that does not surprise Robinson.

"Karl's diligent, he listens and when you tell him something he gets it. He jumps on anything, he's got good hands and he's a real pro. He looks good on a horse, too."

The South African has ridden 22 winners from 80-odd rides in senior ranks, an impressive strike rate.

Zechner has been watching a lot of New Zealand races on video.

"I don't see too much difference between what I've seen back home and New Zealand racing."

There is one great difference, though - the riding academy, which has produced world-class riders on a consistent basis.

Instead of jockeys being apprenticed to trainers, they are indentured to the academy, which after a time loans the apprentices out to trainers for trackwork, but the riders return to the academy before lunch and remain there under strict supervision. The apprenticeship is for five years.

The highest-profile example in New Zealand in recent times to have come through that system is Mark Du Plessis, currently riding in Hong Kong.

In Australia, Jeff Lloyd and Glyn Schofield have made big names for themselves and the now-retired Basil Marcus, when operating from Hong Kong, was long considered one of the world's best.

The work ethic of South African jockeys is what astounds racing people in other countries.

"I'm not going to lie to you, it's very hard," says Zechner of the academy.

"The discipline is hard, but it helps you be stronger at the end.

"It makes jockeys want to do the hard work ... when they can see other riders doing well they become inspired to match them."

Zechner says he has watched the achievements of Du Plessis from afar and aspires to reach the same heights.

His partner is in her final year of studying law in Durban and if all works well here for the South African she will join him and complete her law degree in New Zealand.

One guaranteed ride for Zechner on Saturday is Somoya in the R90 1600m.

"It's taken three months to get Karl here, but it's been worth it," says Nerilee-Anne Robinson, who trains Somoya.

"We've got a manuscript of paperwork to show for it."