A planned R200 000 Maiden Plate on SplashOut Cape Derby day that one would imagine having owners queueing to run their horses had to be scrapped by Cape Racing on Friday as only five entries were received.
The R200 000 Khaya Stables Work Riders And Jockeys Championship Maiden Plate was to be run over 1200m on Saturday 22 February and besides being a contributor of vital points to the popular 2024/25 Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series, was set to pit the professional jockeys against the registered work riders in their annual clash.
The work riders action adds a different dimension for spectators and participants (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
But beyond Ricky Maingard, Glen Kotzen, Eric Sands, Andre Nel and the Brett and James Crawford yards, no other trainers offered entries despite the stake, and the contest had to be abandoned in the short term.
Through the generosity of Lady Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables, who also sponsors the undercard feature of the Gr2 Diadem Stakes on the day, the winning rider was to be presented with a cheque of R15 000 (their normal winning stake percentage, plus a top up). The first rider of the opposing discipline across was to be presented with a cheque for R10 000.
Siphiwo Feni was set to captain a strong Work Riders team, that included veteran William Bambiso and log-leader Louis Burke.
The Sporting Post learns that three leading Cape jockeys opted not to participate, but the in-form Corne Orffer was selected captain of the Jockeys team, that included Gavin Lerena and Hollywoodbets Durban July winners Kabelo Matsunyane and red-hot local, JP van der Merwe.
Cape Racing are likely to announce an alternative event next week.
