The unique R200 000 Khaya Stables Work Rider and Jockeys Championship will bring the curtain down on SplashOut Cape Derby day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, with the ten horse field hosting five jockeys and five work riders.
Selection to qualify to ride in this exciting race is made from the top-ranked riders of both sectors on the National Horseracing Authority logs.
Cape Racing’s Teresa Esplin and Kabelo Nkoane, Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series champion William Bambiso and Riding Master, Craig du Plooy (Pic – Troy Finch)
The ride allocation draws were done on Monday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the NHA supervising the allotment as Cape Racing’s Teresa Esplin drew the horses, with her colleague Kabelo Nkoane drawing the jockeys, and William Bambiso pulling the work rider names out of the hat.
Our recent Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series champion and veteran horseman Bambiso will pilot The US Of A for Paddy Kruyer.
It is a great pity that defending Khaya Stables champion Siphiwo Feni will sit out Saturday’s race. He was suspended recently for weighing in underweight on the Snaith-trained Three Coins.
It is a nice twist that Khaya Stables’ retained rider Craig Zackey drew leading contender Speed Racer, who races in the black and yellow strip of the race sponsors.
1st R95000, 2nd R38000, 3rd R28500, 4th R19000, 5th R9500, RCIS R10000
KHAYA STABLES WORK RIDERS AND JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP MAIDEN PLATE
For all Maidens
| 1 | 1 | Speed Racer | 62.5 | 82 | A | Craig Zackey | Brett Crawford | |
| 2 | 2 | Noon Day Gun | 60 | 78 | BA | *Mzolisi Njengele | Justin Snaith | |
| 3 | 3 | Gift Of Grace | 62.5 | 0 | A | Grant van Niekerk | Greg Ennion | |
| 4 | 4 | Scimitar | 60 | 0 | A | *Mncedi Sigenu | Peter Muscutt | |
| 5 | 5 | Approach Shot | 62.5 | 71 | A | Corne Orffer | Piet Botha | |
| 6 | 6 | Otis The Brave | 62.5 | 65 | Ae | Gareth Wright | Paul Reeves | |
| 7 | 7 | Wissa’s On Fire | 60 | 0 | A | *Bulelani Thwalani | Gareth van Zyl | |
| 8 | 8 | Azzurri | 60 | 0 | A | *Bazile Nkunzi | Lucinda Woodruff | |
| 9 | 9 | Champonelle | 62.5 | 77 | A | Richard Fourie | Lucinda Woodruff | |
| 10 | 10 | The Us Of A | 60 | 75 | A | *William Bambiso | Patrick Kruyer | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (8,9) | ||||||||
There are five teams, made up of a jockey and work rider apiece.
In the 1200m contest, the jockeys rides carry 62,5kgs, while the work riders have 60kg.
All participants are permitted to carry the crop in the backhand position with their hands not being permitted to leave the reins when utilizing it on the neck or shoulder. So no smacks and no shows!
Lady Christine Laodlaw, who backs the Star Grooms initiative, has supported the unique event for some years now and there is both pride and prize to play for!
The race is off at 17h30.
