Classic hopes for Mongqawa

Jack Milner

Former jockey James Maree has done a remarkable job setting up putting into practice the work riders’ programme.

While it does teach the riders so a lot about how to get the best out of a horse and the tactics to use in a race, but the benefit to any stable in which they work is invaluable.

It would certainly improve the feedback they can give to trainers as they prepare their runners for races.

A race meeting solely for work riders was due to take place at the Vaal last Tuesday, but it had to make way for another that was forced to be postponed due to the heavy rain over the Highveld.

As a result, a replacement meeting was arranged to be staged on the Vaal Classic track today. As it has transpired, it was probably a good move as the meeting that will now go ahead has been better supported than the original event.

One of the names to have emerged in recent years is Phenisile Mongqawa, who was last season’s Champion Work Rider.

He works for the Tony Peter yard and as he was brought up in Peter household, he probably was around horses from a very you age.

So once again, he is the man to beat. Four winners from just 10 rides this term tells its own story in that when Mongqawa gets legged up, it’s rarely without intent.

His success with the Peter stable is also impressive – six wins from their last 11 associations which is the sort of strike rate that demands respect.

That partnership looks primed to deliver again at this event where they look to have three promising runners.

The standout comes in Race 2, where Buffalo King Cody makes his return in this Maiden Plate over 1000m. The son of Buffalo Bill Cody showed enough in two consecutive runner-up finishes (both with blinkers fitted) before being gelded during a 79-day break. That’s a classic Peter move – sharpen, reset, improve.

With the headgear retained and natural progression expected, he profiles as the day’s most attractive betting proposition. If he brings even marginal improvement, this field could be playing for places.

The next best looks to be Ariovistus in Race 7, a Classified takes over 2000m. This four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding has only had two runs for the Peter stable after moving to their yard from the Western Cape.

He finished a 1.70-length second behind World Of Royalty in his first run and followed that up with a 2.80-length fourth to Kudzu. World Of Royalty went on to win his next start and a winner has also come out of the Kudzu run.

Ariovistus wore blinkers in both of those starts but they have been removed for this run and he looks the runner to beat.

The Peter-Mongqawa treble could be sealed in Race 8 with Tracksuit Dave, and this is where things get interesting. The Fire Away gelding didn’t just win his maiden last time, he obliterated his rivals, romping home by 5.50 lengths over 1600m.

That kind of margin demands attention, regardless of opposition. It confirmed the promise of his previous second and suggests a horse rapidly going the right way. Opening off a mark of 76, Peter’s charge is probably a long way ahead of the handicapper.

Of course, no Work Riders’ meeting is a one-man show.

Chamu Mabaya has built a career out of spoiling Mongqawa’s script, and he arrives with a live chance of his own. His ride aboard Time Honored in Race 3 is particularly eye-catching. Formerly with James Crawford in Cape Town, the Querari gelding now finds himself in the powerful Mike and Mathew de Kock yard.

His Western Cape form reads consistently well, and while he returns from a 131-day break, he may not need to be fully wound up to make an immediate impact in this company. If he’s anywhere near ready, Mabaya will have him in the firing line.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Princess Of All, 7 Bright Comet, 6 Blazing Breeze, 5 Foxy After Dark

Race 2: 7 Buffalo King Cody, 1 Hammer Blow, 3 Second To Nunn, 6 Autograph

Race 3: 2 Time Honored, 5 Brave Waam, 8 Trex On Fire, 1 Beach Walker

Race 4: 2 Gathering Winter, 1 Lolly Willowes, 6 Fashion News, 3 Wispinthewillow

Race 5: 3 Trail Runner, 7 Time For Charity, 2 Ubermensch, 4 Nkandla Gold

Race 6: 1 Master Buddy, 3 Winding Power, 2 Royale Jacket, 8 Field Of Dreams

Race 7: 2 Ariovistus, 6 Real Stunner, 5 Naretoi, 4 Cartagena

Race 8: 2 Tracksuit Dave, 3 Space Mission, 1 Sky Pillar Rock, 4 Pearl In Her Crown

BEST BET

Race 2: 7 Buffalo King Cody

VALUE BET

Race 4: 2 Gathering Winter

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 1×3

BIPOT

R72

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 7

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 2, 5, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6

Leg 5: 3

Leg 6: 1, 3

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R72

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2, 5, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6

Leg 4: 3

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 2, 6

Leg 7: 2, 3

PICK 6

R768

Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3

Leg 5: 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4

JACKPOT 1

R48

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 6

JACKPOT 2

R48

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4