Rugg returned five winners from the 32 runners he saddled during August which equates to a 16% strike rate. But even more impressive is the fact, for every R1 outlay you would have won R103.90. He has returned three more winners since September kicked off, taking that impressive return to R127.60.

Rugg has a better winning percentage this season than current log leader, Mike Bass. Percentage wise he is also ahead of top trainers Justin Snaith, Glen Kotzen and Joey Ramsden, although they haven’t sent out their stars this season. Regardless, that is impressive for a Kimberley trainer.

Since Rugg relocated to Kimberley he has been a consistent thorn in the side to long-time dominators of the centre, Peter and Cliffie Miller, and he is clearly a trainer to follow for the coming weeks.

Recently Rugg has been using young Evert Pheiffer for most of his runners and the apprentice booted home two more winners for the stable last Monday. Pheiffer rode seven winners and three places from 52 starts during August for a strike rate of 29%. For every R1 outlay you would have collected R84.10, putting him streets ahead of any other jockey in the country.

He is currently in the top 10 on the log and started September with three more wins and an extra five placings. His win/place strike rate is now 38% and for every R1 outlay punters would be smiling at a R115.80 profit. Pheiffer shows a better winning percentage than former champions Andrew Fortune and Felix Coetzee have for this season.