The 2024/25 Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series produced the finish of the competition at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday when the fifth and final leg produced a humdinger closer with a head separating the Candice Bass-Robinson duo of Stu’s Girl and the favourite Johnny Drama at the line.
Godfrey Sigenu gets the best out of Stu’s Girl as Lungisani Geledu challenges resolutely on the 18-10 Johnny Drama – further back are Joueur De Flute (Aviwe Bikwe) and Luke Coleman on Duchess Of Paloma (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Run over five legs and commencing in November 2024, the annual competition has once again provided important race-riding experience and plenty of fun for qualifying Work Riders who are a key link in the horseracing supply chain.
Former professional jockey Louis Burke dominated the current competition from early on, but didn’t have a ride in the six horse final-leg on a wet Saturday afternoon, and sportingly attended the prize-giving – earning the lion’s share of the win prize, himself – to take the mantle from defending champion William Bambiso.
Louis Burke is all smiles after winning the competition – Craig du Plooy looks on (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In a thrilling finish to the Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series Leg 5 Maiden Plate on Saturday, Godfrey Sigenu got the best out of the nuggety grey Stu’s Girl as Lungisani Geledu threw the kitchen sink at his 18-10 stablemate Johnny Drama, who won’t be long in winning.
The Rafeef gelding Jouer De Flute (28-10) looked a million dollars in the pre-race parade and ran third to boost Aviwe Bikwe to second place in the overall competition.
Runner-up Aviwe Bikwe proudly shows his gift alongside Riding Master Craig Du Plooy (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Luke Coleman earned the third honours overall in the competition, with the pacy Duchess Of Paloma (9-4) finishing fourth.
Bazile Nkunzi managed fourth in the competition, despite his ride Marine Merchant failing to spark on Saturday.
The R25 000 prize pool was shared as follows:
- Louis Burke – R12 000
- Aviwe Bikwe – R6 000
- Luke Coleman – R4 000
- Oscar Nkunzi – R2 000
- Ben Feni – R1 000
Hollywoodbets Cape Grooms School Chief Riding Master Craig du Plooy told the Sporting Post that the competition had been enjoyed by all of the Work Riders.
“All the guys relish the opportunity to compete in a professional race arena and Hollywoodbets are again to be lauded for putting up the prize money and providing the platform. It creates a tremendous buzz and competitive edge for these hardworking folk who spend a large proportion of their working lives in the engine room,” added Du Plooy.
