Riding Master Craig du Plooy, fifth placed Godfrey Sigenu, Champion William Bambiso, third placed Mzolisi Njengele, Hollywoodbets’ Ryan van Wyk and second-placed Louis Burke, enjoy the champagne moment (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The senior statesman of the Cape Work Rider ranks, 54 year old William Bambiso was crowned champion on completion of the second Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Transkei-born horseman is one of South Africa’s finest Work Riders and started out at Milnerton some 37 years ago as a teenager working for the late James Lightheart.
He then moved on to Basil Marcus before joining the Dean Kannemeyer yard following Marcus’ departure for Singapore.
While William could only manage third on the Kannemeyer trained Explosive Speed in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series final leg, it was sufficient to give him the points power to top the final log and walk away with the lion’s share of the prize money.
His charismatic Kannemeyer Racing colleague Aron ‘Bongi’ Xabendlini won the race with a well-judged ride on Prankster (15-4) for Gareth van Zyl, who beat the 3-1 Maneko Neko by half a length in a time of 60,62 secs.
Aron Xabendlini has a chance to pose for the camera as Prankster charges home (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
While having to survive an interference related objection by Candice Bass-Robinson on behalf of the runner-up, the cucumber cool Xabendlini, who famously once offered his services to Mike de Kock to ride Hawwaam in the Durban July, seemed unfazed and showed just a flash of emotion before accepting his trophy and thanking Hollywoodbets, Gareth van Zyl and Riding Master, Craig du Plooy.
The Ridgemont Highlands bred Prankster is a daughter of Canford Cliffs (Tagula) out of the twice winning Querari daughter, Joking.
A R100 000 National 2yo Sale buy, Prankster took 6 runs to shed her maiden and with her 2 places cheques included, took her stakes earnings to a book balancing R101 238.
The grand prize of R25 000 in the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series was shared amongst the top five riders on the final log after today’s race. On top of this, they also earn the standard riding commissions.
A delighted William Bambiso shows off his hamper after winning the series (Pic – Craig du Plooy)
- Winner William Bambiso earned R12 000
- Runner-up Louis Burke earned R6 000
- Third place Mzolisi Njengele earned R4 000
- Fourth place Sipho Fenie earned R2 000
- Fifth place Godfrey Sigenu earned R1 000
The Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series has once again provided important race-riding experience and plenty of fun for Work Riders who are a key link in the horseracing supply chain.
“Thanks so very much to Hollywoodbets and Cape Racing for providing the platform for these hardworking gentlemen to showcase their talents and upskill themselves. The buzz at the training centres in the build-up to these big days is tangible. It means a lot to all of us and we cannot wait for the next series!” added Craig du Plooy, who heads up the Hollywoodbets Cape Racing Grooms School.
Next up is the R200 000 Khaya Stables Work Riders vs Jockeys Championship Maiden Plate which will be contested at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1200m on SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby day on 24 February.
