The work riders will once again display their talents in Leg 1 of the 2020 Work Riders’ Challenge at the Vaal on Monday.
The good news for all concerned is that despite the current economic difficulties, the prize money for this challenge remain at R50,000.
The third and final leg of last season’s Work Riders’ Challenge was not run due to the lockdown, but it was decided the log leaders after the first two legs would be declared the winners.
As a result, Joe Gwingwizha, who topped the table with 75 points, will claim the R20,000 first prize with Chamu Mabaya, second with 62 points, receiving a cheque for R10,000 and Tshepiso Matsoele, third on 44 points, getting R5,000.
They will receive their prize money at the Vaal on Monday.
Gwingwizha has some top rides in his attempt to retain his title, especially for champion trainer Sean Tarry.
He has an excellent ride with Talladega in Race 1 but this four-year-old daughter of Var has not raced since finishing unplaced in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1200m on Sun Met day at Kenilworth in January, so her fitness has to be taken on trust.
Her two races have been against winners so she is clearly highly rated but it might be safer to go with Showdown Kid who won his penultimate start but was disqualified after weighing in below the allowed difference.
He did not run well last time over 1200m but back to a 1000m he could be right there.
If Talladega does need the run, Gwingwizha’s best ride could come in Race 6, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1700m, where he rides Pin It, also for Tarry.
The daughter of Where’s The Tiger has run well enough in her two starts over 1200m but appears to be crying out for further. This is not the strongest of fields and she will not need too much improvement to win.
Best bet on the card looks to be Leading Lad in Race 8, a Maiden Plate over 1800m. The Alec Laird-trained gelding just failed to get up over 1600m on the Turffontein Inside track last time and should enjoy the longer run-in.
Goodman Dadamasi takes the ride.
The work riders’ programme has been run with dedication and enthusiasm by former top jockey James Maree, who said: “Do you know that in the last 10 work riders’ races, eight have been won by the favourite and one by the second favourite? That is an amazing statistic.”
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Showdown Kid, 6 Talladega, 10 Big City Girl, 2 Theatre Of Dreams
Race 2: 9 Alacritas, 3 Mars Rover, 15 Sonny Quinn, 4 Love Lies
Race 3: 1 Flower Of Scotland, 9 Dunyaa, 8 Desert Pride, 15 Sumida
Race 4: 12 Sea Island, 11 Thief Of The Night, 10 The Bastille, 9 Raisetheredlantern
Race 5: 5 Al Haamy, 16 So They Say, 15 Tight Five, 13 Pin Drop
Race 6: 9 Pin It, 2 On Broadway, 10 Sugarlicious, 4 Suntrax
Race 7: 11 Immaculate, 1 Euphoriant, 6 Wonderous, 2 Perfect Passion
Race 8: 1 Leading Lad, 9 Summerdale, 8 Rockpaperscissors, 15 David’s Palace
BEST BET
Race 8 No 1 Leading Lad
VALUE BET
1 No 1 Showdown Kid
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 1×11
BIPOT
R324
Leg 1: 1, 6, 10
Leg 2: 3, 9, 15
Leg 3: 1, 8, 9
Leg 4: 11, 12, 14
Leg 5: 5, 16
Leg 6: 2, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 3, 9, 15
Leg 2: 1, 8, 9
Leg 3: 11, 12, 14
Leg 4: 5, 16
Leg 5: 2, 9
Leg 6: 1, 11
Leg 7: 1
PICK 6
R480
Leg 1: 1, 8, 9, 15
Leg 2: 11, 12, 14
Leg 3: 5, 9, 13, 15, 16
Leg 4: 2, 4, 9, 10
Leg 5: 1, 11
Leg 6: 1
JACKPOT 1
R120
Leg 1: 11, 12, 14
Leg 2: 5, 9, 13, 15, 16
Leg 3: 2, 4, 9, 10
Leg 4: 1, 11
JACKPOT 2
R40
Leg 1: 5, 9, 13, 15, 16
Leg 2: 2, 4, 9, 10
Leg 3: 1, 11
Leg 4: 1