The Malaysian rider who turned 51 this year, has hung his boots after an impressive display in Mauritius following an invitation to represent his country for The People’s Turf PLC International Jockeys’ Week-End at the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere; the Champ-de-Mars. Indeed, this globetrotter who has been champion jockey in Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius delivered a powerful display to win the title and Malaysia took the team event.
It must be pointed out that everything did not start well for him as his first ride aboard the filly Air Of Mystery, who was the hot favourite, had to be scratched on Veterinary advice behind the starting gates. But the veteran rider left no stone unturned as he proved again that he is very difficult to beat once he hit the front aboard outsider Waimea for trainer Nawaz Rawat. This was the start of something great for Woodworth as he demonstrated his know-how which showed again that form is temporary but class is permanent.
As a matter of fact, he won brilliantly on outsider Amandla for the young trainer Selvom Mootien with a powerful finish to beat the favourite Cybotix in the last 50 metres of the race. And in the penultimate race with the co-favourite Seattle West again for trainer Nawaz Rawat, the Malaysian rider showed up a tactical display to win comfortably relegating his toughest opponent by nearly three lengths. With some multiple placings adding to the three winners, Benny Woodworth snatched the victory from South African, Jason Gates who was a solid leader till the last race to claim the title for Malaysia in Mauritius for The People’s Turf PLC International Jockeys’ Week-End.
