Turffontein Saturday

Bob Brogan wrote: This cards exciting the punters

Here’s the standings and points explained

The Challenge is a joint initiative between Phumelela, the Racing Association and the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust which sees work riders compete on three race days annually for prize money totalling R50 000.

It is a points-based competition with points being awarded as follows: FIRST – 10 points; SECOND – 7 points; THIRD – 5 points; FOURTH – 3 points.

The winner of each of the three meetings receives R5 000. The overall winner receives R20 000, while R10 000 and R5 000 is awarded to the work riders who finish second and third respectively overall.

Top of the log going into the last race meeting is Gwingwizha on 82 points, followed by Charles Ndlovu on 67 points. Samuel Mosia and Phillip Mlangeni are joint third on 47 points while Francis Semela has accumulated 30 points.

Gwingwizha has a full card of rides with Slay The Dragon in Race 6 looking his best ride.

It’s usually a good idea to go with a proven rider in these types of races, which is one of the reasons Flapjack in Race 5 stands out as the top Win bet of the meeting.

Chamu Mabaya does the honours, and this experienced rider has guided home well over 50 winners in these events.

Just as importantly, Flapjack clearly has the best form in this race, especially if you disregard a flat latest run over what may have been a too far 2400m.

He has been run out of it late a couple of times over slightly further, so this 1600m may be just what the doctor ordered, and from the pole position draw Paul Matchett’s three-year-old gelding has a golden opportunity to leave the maiden ranks.

He looks worth a decent bet.

Race 6 provides a similar story, where Sean Tarry’s Slay The Dragon is also likely to be a warm order.

This lightly raced Pomodoro gelding has produced respectable places in his last two races, and also has a proven winner on top in Joe Gwingwizha.

He should be good enough to win against ordinary looking rivals, and while both are likely to be strong favourites, taking the win double could be advisable.

For those looking for Eachway value, Wordyness in Race 7 could be the ticket.

After showing little in four sprints, she stayed on to get much closer last time over 1600m against males. She now tries 400m further, and with a little more improvement should be in the thick of things against some well-tried and moderate rivals of her own sex.

Dave Scott wrote: :whistle: