Feni may have the edge in Work Riders’ Challenge

Jack Milner

Sadly, Leg 2 of the Work Riders’ Challenge fell victim to the heavy rains on the Highveld so it is the final leg that will be run at the Vaal on Thursday.

The points at the top of the log are very tight and there are a number of work riders who have the opportunity to win the competition.

Phenisile Mongqawa, on 32, holds a two-point lead over Anathi Feni with Joe Gwingwizha another two back in third. Chamu Mabaya is in fourth place on 24 points.

Feni probably has the best rides of the top bunch and he should come away with at least two winners on the eight-race card, courtesy of some decent opportunities from the Mike de Kock stable.

The meeting is made up of eight Maiden Plates and Feni’s first chance comes up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1500m up the straight.

He rides Unyielding for the De Kock yard and this three-year-old daughter of Flower Alley has by far the best form in this line-up.

There is no question that she has been disappointing as she has found betting support in a number of her races only to let the side down. But sometimes a trainer just needs to find the right field and this could just be it.

Pink Diamond looks the main danger but Paul Matchett’s charge is already a four-year-old and does look very limited.

However, Feni’s best ride looks to be On The Guest List in Race 6, another Maiden Plate for fillies and mares, but this time over 1800m.

He rode her last time over 2000m on the Classic course where she finished a 0.50-length second behind Maith An Cailin and perhaps the slightly shorter distance will be to her advantage.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Fort Lauderdale, 6 Someday Maybe, 5 Rio Supremo, 3 I Am Who I Am

Race 2: 4 Miss Christmas, 7 Paradise Flower, 3 Chateau Futura, 1 Kit Kat Katie

Race 3: 1 Unyielding, 2 Pink Diamond, 3 Elusive Fire, 4 Summer Of Dreams

Race 4: 11 Chrome Tourmaline, 6 Freedom Square, 8 Have A Party, 5 All Rise

Race 5: 5 Crown Prince, 1 Pembroke, 10 Shachath, 6 Green Dynamite

Race 6: 1 On The Guest List, 2 Impression, 3 Cilantro, 4 Coffee In Brazil

Race 7: 1 Desert Fox, 10 Turnthebeataround, 9 Mambo Come Tesio, 3 Wonderworld

Race 8: 1 Celtic Rush, 5 Big Five, 11 Total Surrender, 3 Activator

BEST BET

Race 1 No 1 Fort Lauderdale

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 1 Desert Fox

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 1x2

BIPOT

R72

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 3, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 6, 11

Leg 5: 1, 5, 10

Leg 6: 1, 2

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R108

Leg 1: 3, 4, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 6, 11

Leg 4: 1, 5, 10

Leg 5: 1           

Leg 6: 1, 9, 10

Leg 7: 1

PICK 6

R480

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 6, 11

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 10

Leg 4: 1, 2

Leg 5: 1, 3, 6, 9, 10

Leg 6: 1, 5, 11

JACKPOT 1

R80

Leg 1: 6, 11

Leg 2: 1, 5, 6, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 9, 10

JACKPOT 2

R120

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 10

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 9, 10

Leg 4: 1, 5, 11