Defending champion Joe Gwingwizha goes into the final leg of the Work Riders’ Challenge with a substantial lead over his rivals.
Leg 3 of this R50,000 event will be staged on the Inside track at Turffontein on Tuesday, 27 April.
Joe Gwingwizha – substantial lead
Gwingwizha won Leg 1 with 30 points and Leg 2 with 34 points and that has already seen him accumulate R10,000 for those victories. Should he maintain his overall lead after the final leg he will secure R20,000 for winning the Work Riders’ Challenge, and a victory in Leg 3 will add another R5,000 to his prize money.
Phelisile Mongqawa lies in second spot and will be looking to close down Gwingwizha’s 27-point lead. If not, he is well positioned to claim the R10,000 for second-placed finisher. The third-placed work rider goes away with R5,000.
Chamu Mabaya, last year’s runner-up, is on 32 points, just five behind Mongqawa, but hot on both their heels are Daniel Baase (30 points) and Tshepiso Matsoele (29 points).
However, there is even a bigger test lying in wait for the top work riders because on Saturday 1 May they will participate in the Inaugural Highveld Work Riders v Jockeys Challenge between the top eight Highveld work riders and the top eight Highveld jockeys. The race is a R150,000 Maiden Plate over 1160m. Work riders will receive a 3kg weight allowance from the professional jockeys.
Gwingwizha will captain the work riders’ team which also comprises Mongqawa, Mabaya, Matsoele, Sam Mosia, Daniel Baase, Goodman Dadamasi and Phillip Mlangeni.
Linyelo Mafethe is their reserve.
S’manga Khumalo will lead the jockeys and will be joined by, Lyle Hewitson, Gavin Lerena, Muzi Yeni, Craig Zackey, Warren Kennedy, Luke Ferraris and Piere Strydom.
Chase Maujean is the reserve rider.
