The second leg of the Work riders’ Challenge will be run at the Vaal today and the opportunity to earn the R20,000 for the rider who earns the most points over the three legs is wide open.
Chamu Mabaya
Tabnews report that the Challenge carries total prize money of R50,000 with R5,000 going to the winner of each leg, R20,000 to the overall winner, R15,000 to the runner-up and R5,000 to the third-placed rider.
It is a magnificent venture and it demonstrates the talent of these hard-working guys.
Once again the card is made up of nine Maiden Plates but as is always the case, there looks to be some very good bets on the card. The best of these has to be Shezahotti who run in Race 8, a Maiden Plate over 2000m.
This is the first time this Paul Matchett-trained filly will be racing over the distance but was narrowly beaten over 1800m last time and should have no problem with the additional 200m. She is by SA Derby Winner Irish Flame so staying the distance should be well within her grasp.
She really looks a cut above her opposition in what is a very weak field and it will come as a major surprise if she gets beaten. The field meets at level weights and she is at least 6kg better off, based on her merit rating. She has one of the leading work riders up in Chamu Mabaya and he is unlikely to make any mistakes.
If there is danger it could be Vida Amorosa, purely because she has run and placed over 2400m and will have no problem with the distance.
Midnight In Paris is a bit of a mystery as she ran poorly first time out, then finished second over 2000m and last time ran poorly again to end up almost 14 lengths behind the winner. This four-year-old has some ability but perhaps there are some soundness issues troubling her.
So if she is in a galloping frame of mind, Midnight In Paris could be some sort of threat.
Mabaya also has three rides for the Mike de Kock yard and all of them top the bookmakers’ boards. He is on Takatul in Race 1, Indy Ice in Race 7 and Noble Princess in Race 9.
Perhaps the best of the trio is Indy Ice, who has a record of four seconds and two fifths in six starts and is reputed to have quite a bit of talent. The only concern is he is not an easy ride and could cause a few problems for Mabaya.
First-timers / rested horses comments
1 12:10 – ITSARUSH.CO.ZA WELCOMES YOU WORKRIDERS MAIDEN PLATE
8 SAINT MICHAEL P A Peter: Will need the run
10 GRINDELWALD S J Gray: No comment given
11 I LIKE TO MOVE IT C E Erasmus: Will need the run, first run for stable
12 ONE OF OUR OWN B O Wiid: Small chance
2 12:40 – BOOK FOR GAUTENG GUINEAS DAY 2 FEBRUARY 0116811508 WORKRIDERS
MAIDEN PLATE (F & M)
16 GATE RELIEF S J Gray: No comment given
17 JUST DANCE P A Peter: Each way chance
3 13:10 – TAB PAYS THE FULL DIVIDEND, NO LIMITS WORKRIDERS MAIDEN PLATE (F &M)
6 SETSOKOTSANE M Mahiakola: Will need the run
11 JIVE EXPRESS S J Gray: No comment given
13 MIDNIGHT TOP S J Gray: No comment given
14 PEGALEA D Cason: Will run an improved race
15 VARQUERA B O Wiid: Small chance
17 VIVA MAMBO P A Peter: Place Chance
4 13:40 – BETTING WORLD – 087 741 2777 WORKRIDERS MAIDEN PLATE
3 OUTSIDE EDGE A Nassif: Will need run
14 PEACE CALL ME S J Gray: No comment given
5 14:10 – BOOK FOR CLASSIC DAY 0116811508 ON 2 MARCH WORKRIDERS MAIDEN PLATE
14 LATIN OPUS S G Tarry: No comment given
6 15:00 – JOIN US FOR THE JOBURG’S PRAWN FESTIVAL 30 MARCH WORKRIDERS MAIDEN PLATE
4 OFF THE PEG F C De Beer: Carded for 24/01/2019 Vaal
9 17:00 – NEXT VAAL RACEMEETING TUESDAY 05 FEBRUARY WORKRIDERS MAIDEN PLATE (F & M)
12 BELLA’S MATCH D Nieuwenhuizen: No comment given
- Thanks to Phumelela Publishing
