Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 15 June 2026
Sima Mxothwa was beaming with pride at Oamaru on Sunday after he got his hands on his first trophy of his career when guiding home Tumuch to win the Dunstan Feed Waimate Cup (1600m) for trainers John and Karen Parsons.
The 24-year-old apprentice jockey was delighted to get a phone call from the Balcairn trainers earlier in the week offering him the ride, and he made sure to follow their instructions to the letter, and the partnership was duly rewarded with victory.
“Leading into the race I knew I had a decent horse and claiming three kilograms would play to our advantage,” Mxothwa said.
“We had drawn 10 and I was told to ride him how he jumps and just make sure I got cover. I ended up in a good spot, three back. I was told to work to the outside at the top of the straight, and I did exactly that.
“He had a good turn of foot, I had plenty of horse underneath me and he finished the race strongly.”
The victory brought Mxothwa’s season tally to 10 wins, one victory better than last term, and he said Sunday’s win was a clear highlight of his riding career to date.
“That was my first cup victory, I am really rapt,” Mxothwa said. “A race with a cup next to it is a really big achievement for me, especially for someone who is still trying to find their feet.”
Mxothwa also enjoyed a couple of placings on the 10-race card, cementing the grin on his face as he travelled back to Christchurch after the meeting.
“I had a good day,” he said. “From four rides I had a second, a third and a win.”
Formerly based in Cambridge and New Plymouth, Mxothwa made the move to Christchurch earlier this year in the search of more riding opportunities, and he said he is loving life in the Garden City, although he admitted the southern winter is taking a bit to get used to.
“I am now based in Christchurch, and I am working for Andrew Carston at Riccarton,” Mxothwa said.
“I have been down here for five months and I am loving it, just the cold, frosty mornings get to me sometimes. It is a really cool place, a nice training centre with lovely people.
“It (southern stint) has started off pretty well, I just hope the ball keeps rolling and I get more opportunities. That is the only way to improve.”
Mxothwa is hoping he can continue his winning momentum into his local meeting on Tuesday, where he will have a quartet of rides, including a couple of good chances for his employer.
The Carston-trained pair of That’s Charming and Freedom Reins have placed in their last few starts and Mxothwa is hoping they can break through for an elusive win in the NZB Weanlings Sale 25 June Rating 60 (1200m) and Cup Week Hospitality On Sale 29 June Rating 62 (1600m) respectively.
“It would be nice to get a win for the boss because I haven’t ridden a winner for him yet,” Mxothwa said.
“I really like That’s Charming, he should go a really good race tomorrow. I have ridden Freedom Reins twice and finished second on her twice, so hopefully tomorrow we run a good race and get a win.”
