Good day looms for Peter and Mongqawa in Challenge

The Challenge carries prize money of R50,000 and is takes place on the Highveld over three legs during the season.

This time the combination of trainer Paul Peter and regular rider Phenisile Mongqawa look the pair to follow.

The two have a very close relationship. Phenisile’s mother worked (and still works) for the He family. When he was in his late teens, Peter heard screams coming from the maid’s quarters and he went in to see what was happening.

He burst in to find Phenisile’s mother giving birth and he helped deliver the baby. Ever since, Mongqawa has been an adopted member of the family, with the trainer almost taking a paternal role. It was Peter who saw the talent in the youngster and took him along to James Maree to be part of the work riders’ programme.

The best two runners look to be Major Winter in Race 5 and Lotus in Race 6. The card is made up purely of Maiden Plates and these two are over both over 1700m, the first for all maidens and the second for fillies and mares.

Major Winter has run twice, both over 1400m at Turffontein, and has finished fourth in both. Last time he ran on well to end up just 1.50 lengths behind Humble Tune. He clearly will enjoy the extra 300m.   

Lotus has been frustrating and costly to follow as she has finished runner-up in her last four starts. However, this is her third run back from a layoff and that should help the daughter of Flower Alley.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Sonny Quinn, 9 Cephas, 2 Lazy Guy, 12 Wisden

Race 2: 13 Ruby Woo, 2 Jam Fancy, 1 Princess Sabrina, 12 Rollawaytackler

Race 3: 10 Golden Spoon, 12 Moobheera, 11 Lee Express, 2 Aberdare

Race 4: 13 Differentiate, 1 Inherit The Rain, 5 Bit Of Fun, 9 Flying Bull

Race 5: 6 Major Winter, 8 Ushuaia, 2 Irish Rain, 7 Parallax

Race 6: 2 Lotus, 1 Senescence, 9 Lyrical Dance, 3 Dutchessburnedette

Race 7: 4 Chenopod, 3 Bend Not Break, 1 Wishonaire, 5 Grace Lu

Race 8: 11 Masaaken, 1 Leading Lad, 10 Track Commander, 2 Ball Rolling

BEST BET

Race 6 No 2 Lotus

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 11 Masaaken

BEST SWINGER

Race 7 3×4

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 1, 2, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 13

Leg 3: 10, 11, 12

Leg 4: 1, 5, 13

Leg 5: 6, 8

Leg 6: 2

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R128

Leg 1: 2, 13

Leg 2: 10, 12

Leg 3: 1, 13

Leg 4: 6, 8

Leg 5: 2

Leg 6: 3, 4

Leg 7: 1, 2, 10, 11

PICK 6

Leg 1: 10, 11, 12

Leg 2: 1, 5, 13

Leg 3: 6, 8

Leg 4: 2

Leg 5: 3, 4

Leg 6: 1, 2, 10, 11

JACKPOT 1

R16

Leg 1: 1, 5, 9, 13

Leg 2: 6, 8

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 3, 4

JACKPOT 2

R16

Leg 1: 6, 8

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 2, 10, 11