Known as something of a specialist miler and a major centre big-hitter in his prime, the Stonebridge family’s pride and joy Bingwa went all the way at just his second start in Gqeberha to win the R175 000 Fairview 1900, the final East Cape feature of 2024.
Carrying joint topweight and having his second run for the high-riding Gavin Smith yard, Craig Zackey registered his 99th winner of the season as he rode a confident race at a good gallop from out front to register a courageous eighth career victory on the trojan 7yo.
Craig Zackey and Bingwa are on their own after a terrific performance of power galloping (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Changing legs into the straight, Bingwa (6-1) was in full stride at the 350m and there was no catching him as he stormed clear to beat Sequoia (10-1) by 1,50 lengths in a very decent time of 114,45 secs.
This was national log-leader Craig Zackey and Hollywoodbets-sponsored Gavin Smith’s third winner of the afternoon.
Replacement rider Chad Little rode a cracker to boost the quartets on Alan Greeff’s 50-1 Global Ally, with the gallant Firealley (33-10) run off his feet but hanging on to earn again, staying on into fourth.
The tote favourite Blackberry Malt (5-2) was beaten 7,80 lengths into fifth.
A dual winner of the Charity Mile in his time, Bingwa has now won 8 races with 15 places from his 46 starts for stakes of R1 405 850.
Bred by Tanzania residents Colin and Lynne Stonebridge, the winner is a son of Sandown Stud-based Pathfork (Distorted Humor) out of the two-time winning Century Stand mare, Marauding Lady.
The final East Cape racemeeting of the year will be held at Fairview on the polytrack on Monday.
