Work riders square up in grand finale

Danie Toerien

The third and final leg of the Work Riders’ Challenge will be contested today at the Vaal Racecourse and looking at the current points standing after two events, it will be a two-jockey race between Phenisile Mongqawa and Sam Mosia.

Mongqawa leads the race to the title with 72 points, followed by Mosia on 66.

The competition is an initiative to give work riders a chance to get their share of the limelight usually reserved for qualified jockeys and apprentices, and spans three race meetings. At each of the three meetings, work riders accumulate points allocated according to their finishing position in every races.

A win is worth 10 points, a runner-up finish earns them 7 points, third spot gets 5 points, and the fourth placed finisher is awarded 3 points.

While Mongqawa has only secured five rides for Thursday’s meeting, Mosia has a full book on the eight-race card, and he will be aboard two potential 10-pointers.

All eight races are reserved for maidens.

In Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m, Mosia has been tasked to steer Lady Osier for leading trainer Paul Peter. This three-year-old just ran out of steam last time out to finish a 1.5-length runner up over 1450m with Mosia in the saddle.
Lady Osier has been blowing more hot than cold and looks ready to take the next step in her racing career after six attempts at escaping the maidens ranks.

It is interesting to note that she had Mongqawa in the irons in the second leg of the Work Riders’ Challenge when finishing fourth in her second outing. One can only guess that having given both the leading Work Riders a shot with Lady Osier, Mosia was the most impressive, hence the decision to let him retain the ride.

In Race 7, a sprint over 1000m, Mosia will be aboard Double Magic, also for Peter.

After two top-three finishes, this Willow Magic gelding has been slapped with a Merit Rating of 71 despite never having won, but he looks up to the task and will probably go off at close to even money.

Mongqawa’s best point-scoring opportunities seem to be in Races 2 and 6, where Paul Peter has entrusted him with La Banquiere and Gimme A Dream respectively.

Whether they are worth 10 points apiece remains to be seen.

Perhaps the final leg of the Work Riders’ Challenge provides some insight into Peter’s success this season.
Not only is he leading the race to the Trainers championship table, but he also seems to be taking his work riders along for the ride, and the glory. Definitely a recipe for success.