Winning Form sponsored jockey Warren Kennedy, Hollywoodbets sponsored trainer Garth Puller and 4-year-old filly Bint El Malak all reigned supreme in the inaugural Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge.
The winners were all awarded with R100 000 each at a presentation at Hollywoodbets Greyvilles’ Shorthead Bar last night.
Kennedy went into the final raceday of the challenge with an 82 point lead and extended his lead on the last day of the challenge to finish the competition on 1242.5 points, 88 points ahead Anton Marcus back in second.
Marcus finished the competition with 1154.5 points, 1138.5 points ahead of Keagan de Melo in third with 1116 points.
Kennedy who was delighted with his win said that it was fantastic and mentioned that it created a buzz in the jockey room.
“It feels really good to win it, especially being sponsored by Winning Form, I must also say that it was a lovely format and the guys in the jockey room were counting the points race after race, ” said Kennedy.
Kennedy added that the challenge did help him in pursuit of the Jockeys’ Championship.
“The Jockeys’ Championship is obviously my main priority but obviously riding as many winners as you can is good, “he added.
Kennedy went on to mention that racing was going through a quiet patch before Hollywoodbets came in.
“Racing was going through a bit of a lull before Hollywoodbets came in a gave it a boost, ” he explained.
Puller won the trainers log by a unanimous 177.5 points over Paul Lafferty in second. Puller finished the competition with 935 points with Lafferty on 757.5 points.
Puller was ecstatic and complimented Hollywoodbets by saying that it was a great initiative.
Puller admitted that towards the end of the competition he did strategize.
“The initiative was to get more horses to the course and towards the end when I found myself on top I did strategize to get the most points possible, ” said Puller.
Puller is delighted with the work that Hollywoodbets are doing for horseracing
“I am a big fan of Hollywoodbets and the work that they have done in racing, it’s just amazing” added Puller.
Bint El Malak the four old daughter of King’s Chapel managed to accumulate 75 points in the competition 8 more than the Wendy Whitehead trained Jayden’s Shreya back in second.
Trainer of Bint El Malak Paul Lafferty was overjoyed with the win.
“This prize really couldn’t of happened to a better owner (Brian Riley), he’s such a great guy,” said Lafferty
Lafferty who was elated ended by thanking the team at Hollywoodbets for there fantastic work.
The presentation concluded with the launch of the new Hollywoodbets Sizzling Punters Challenge which will see R100 000 given away to punters throughout the month of March.
