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Christmas cheer replaces fear, as Karl celebrates metro double

Thankfully, Christmas 2020 bore little resemblance to Christmas 2019 for jockey Karl Zechner.

This time last year, Zechner’s wife and child were held up at gunpoint in South Africa, convincing the accomplished hoop it was time to make a life-changing move.

Fast forward 12 months and Zechner was riding his first South Australian metropolitan double at Morphettville, on Boxing Day, aboard Bleriot and Thrill Kill.

“A year ago if someone had told me I’d be doing that I would have asked if they were joking,” Zechner said this week.

“It’s something I would have never thought of.”

With family in tow, Zechner – a winner of multiple Grade 1 (Group 1) races in South Africa – arrived in Adelaide early this year and while he has enjoyed his new surroundings, admits adjusting has been more difficult than he ever imagined.

“It’s been weird and quite tough, not just the COVID situation, but the transition, having to settle in a different country, but also to the lifestyle and riding aspects,” he said.

“So yes, it’s been way harder than what I thought it was going to be.”

In fact, Zechner was forced to go back to the drawing board during his first few months in South Australia.

“It’s very different over here – I’ve pretty much had to learn right from the beginning again,” he said.

“I’ve adjusted pretty quickly, within the first six months. That might not seem quick, but if you’ve been taught one way all your life, then you’ve got to adjust in six months, I think it’s pretty quick.”

With over 600 winners to his credit, the 33-year-old is eagerly anticipating the imminent arrival of gun South African training duo Gary and Dean Alexander, who will make Murray Bridge their training base in the New Year. Zechner has already ridden winners for the Alexanders and is supremely confident his fellow countrymen will make their mark locally.

“Will they be successful? Not a doubt,” he said.

“They’ve been successful in South Africa and trainers from South Africa have been successful all over the world.

“I think they’ll do very well in South Australia.

“I’ve ridden quite a lot of winners for them in South Africa. They’re very good people and good trainers, so it’s quite exciting for them and for South Australia.

“It would be nice if I could get a few rides of them here, but it’s up to them to decide what they do.”
Winners and even rides were scarce when Zechner relaunched his career in South Australia, but his decision to link up with Nadia Horne as his manager and his solid on-track results are gradually turning the tide.

“Getting my first metro double means quite a lot,” he said.

“Getting one metro winner isn’t easy, so to have a double is a big ask. I’m very happy that it’s happened. I’m over the moon.

“Nadia’s doing a great job for me at the moment. I’ve started to see more horses that are in the money and have got chances.”

IMAGE:
Karl Zechner after landing his first SA metropolitan double at Morphettville on Saturday aboard Thrill Kill. PHOTO: atkinsphotography.com.au

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