Escarpment (William Bambiso) wins the Grandslots Workriders Maiden Plate to open the new Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The second Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series got underway on Saturday with the vastly experienced William Bambiso claiming an early lead in the four-race competition, courtesy of a polished ride on the Piet Botha-trained Escarpment.
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth was bathed in glorious sunshine on the classic day and the Workriders opened proceedings in the Grandslots Workriders Maiden Plate in front of a capacity crowd in the first of ten races.
The 53 year old William Bambiso opened the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series last year with a winner, and launched his championship aspirations in similar determined fashion, riding a confident race on the long-striding colt.
Settled a length off the gallop set by the fancied Casino Ace, Bambiso built momentum on Escarpment (8-1) and steered his mount to a well-timed three quarter length victory over the fast-finishing Riverstone (10-1), who was a half length ahead of Casino Ace (5-2).
A R50 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Escarpment was the first of a quartet of winners on the day bred by Ridgemont and provided part owner Miles Bloemstein with a memorable first winner in his silks.
A son of Canford Cliffs (Tagula), Escarpment is out of the three-time winning Western Winter mare, Icy Fire.
William Bambiso raises his arms in triumph as the happy connections lead Escarpment in (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Transkei-born Bambiso is the senior statesman of the local workrider community, having plied his trade for 36 Cape winters. He started out with the late James Lightheart, moved to Basil Marcus, and then joined the Kannemeyer yard following Marcus’ departure for Singapore.
A delighted Hollywoodbets Grooms School Riding Master Craig du Plooy told the Sporting Post that all of the riders were graduates of the school, and that while William Bambiso was a proven and experienced rider, the second and third placed finishers were having their first race rides.
“Xavier Machaieie (Riverstone) and Patrick Njengele (Casino Ace) both acquitted themselves really well and I am proud of what they have achieved. We can spend hours in the classroom and training, but nothing quite tests the skills like a race. The Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series means a lot to all of us, and it takes hard work and dedication for all of the riders to get to this point,” he added.
Last year’s Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series winner, and reigning Workrider Of The Year, Siphiwo Feni completed the quartet on the 2-1 shot, Always Free.
Points are earned by individual workriders in each of the four races in the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series and to keep all stakeholders updated, Cape Racing will publish a log on every Monday following each of the races.
The balance of the 3 races will be held at the race meetings at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 20 January and 5 February, concluding on 17 February.
The grand prize of R25 000 in the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series, will be shared amongst the top five riders on the final log. On top of this, they also earn the standard riding commissions.
The R25 000 prize pool will be allocated as follows:
- Winner earns R12 000
- Runner-up earns R6 000
- Third place earns R4 000
- Fourth place earns R2 000
- Fifth place earns R1 000
Enjoy the race replay:
