Blazing Saddles. Ndzongo drives Kopi Luwak to his maiden win (Equine Edge)
The opening race at Kenilworth on Saturday was hardly an advert for the capability of the Cape workriders. Even multiple Equus Award winner Andile ‘Shorty’ Ndzongo, who rode the winner Kopi Luwak, would probably choose to put a frankly forgettable display in the saddle well behind him.
The vastly experienced Ndzongo has won countless races and titles in the Western Province Workriders Series over the years, and was not lacking for determination on Saturday when booting home the Tiger Ridge gelding for his boss of 23 years, Mike Bass.
Ndzongo was the groom of Bass’ 2001 Durban July winner, Trademark.
Ndzongo passed former jockey Kenny Michel’s work riders course in 2003 with distinction. He then went on to win the first series of the work riders races, and has won subsequent titles.
But his ride on the 5/2 favourite Kopi Luwak was not a distinguished one. Besides picking up a one race suspension for causing interference to the even money favourite Classy Fighter (on whom William Bambiso did not shine either), Ndzongo also incurred a three race suspension for misusing his whip and causing an injury to his mount.
Shorty Ndzongo
We counted that he struck his mount 14 times over approximately the final 200m, and besides the impact of those numbers, his ‘Wild Bill’ animated style would have won him few friends amongst horse lovers.
Paca (whip abuse) and Bambiso (interference) also picked up sanctions from the Stipes.
There was plenty of interest in the post about the race on our Facebook page and former jockey and current Tellytrack personality Vicky Minott wrote :
“They ride under the same rules of the jockeys, they face fines and/or suspensions and all matters are dealt with by the NHA… They only race 12 times a year and it is a fantastic program that uplifts and trains our work riders. I’m not saying he was right or wrong. I’m saying it is governed extremely well and disobeying the rules is not taken lightly.”
Other posters were less diplomatic.
The full Stipes Report outlines a race that will hopefully be utilised as a training tool for future workriders:
THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: (WM)
a) In view of the performances from BULTA (X Tshayisa) (5.25 lengths) and IGUASU (L Ngombane) (6.25 lengths), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine these geldings on their return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
b) Leaving the 250m IGUASU (L Ngombane) had to steady and switch inwards to continue its run off the heels of CLASSY FIGHTER (W Bambiso), which shifted out. W Bambiso (CLASSY FIGHTER) was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7, in that he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to IGUASU when he shifted out leaving the 250m. W Bambiso signed an admission of guilt and was suspended from riding in 1 work rider race.
c) At the 50m CLASSY FIGHTER (W Bambiso) had to steady momentarily and switch in to continue its run off the heels of KOPI LUWAK (A Ndzongo), which shifted out. A Ndzongo (KOPI LUWAK) was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7, in that he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to CLASSY FIGHTER when he shifted out at the 50m. A Ndzongo signed an admission of guilt and was suspended from riding in 1 work rider race.
d) A Ndzongo (KOPI LUWAK) was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 read with Guideline A & L, in that he misused his crop by striking KOPI LUWAK on the flank causing injury. A Ndzongo signed an admission of guilt and was suspended from riding in 3 work rider races.
e) E Paca (EPICENTRE) was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 read with Guideline M, in that he misused his crop by striking EPICENTRE with excessive frequency. E Paca signed an admission of guilt and was suspended from riding in 1 work rider race
f) KOPI LUWAK (A Ndzongo), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer M W Bass was advised
