The Vaal stages the first leg of the three-legged 2016/2017 Workrider’s Challenge on Thursday. The eight races are all relatively weak maidens, but this will not diminish the annual excitement this meeting generates. There is a prize of R5,000 for the leading rider at each of the three meetings and the overall Challenge prize money is R20,000 for first, R10,000 for second and R5,000 for third. The points format is weighted in favour of consistency. A first place finish earns ten points, a second place seven points, third five points and fourth three points. Last year’s runaway Challenge winner was Sam Mosia on 131 points, beating Francis Semela on 72 points, Chamu Mabaya on 59 points, Joe Gwingwizha on 51 points and Charles Ndlovu on 47 points.

The accomplished Tshepiso Matsoele could get off to a good start. In the first race for fillies and mares over 1200m he rides the Visionaire filly Secret Vision, who ran on well over this trip last time for second, despite having earlier broken through the starting stalls. Mosia rides the hard knocking Goodness Me in this race and she should go close too. In her only unplaced effort last time she still finished close despite jumping from the worst of the draw. She now has the pole position draw going around the bend. There are two interesting first-timers in this race. Ahajeez should have speed and class being by Western Winter out of a promising Australian-bred mare who only ran six times, but won three of them over trips from 1600m to 2400m. She is from the Mike de Kock yard who are famous for having all of their horses fit enough. Al Danza by Captain Al is a full sister to the useful The Captain’s Tune, who has won three races from 1400m to 1600m. Her other siblings are the fair sprinter Night Editor and the sprinter to 1400m horse Due And Payable, so she looks likely to have plenty of speed, but she has a tough draw to overcome. Chimese Whisper has fair form at first sight, but looks to be a moderate sort who is going to struggle to ever win a race.

In the second over 1000m Collabro is by Var and is a half-brother to none other than Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle. He made a good debut on Grand Heritage day over 1200m considering he jumped from the wrong side of the track and had no cover for most of the journey. He finished 8,6 lengths back, but was in fifth place of 16 horses and the winner was the highly promising Doosra. Goodman Dadamisi, who has a fine recent strike rate, is in the irons. Matsoele should be involved in the finish again as he rides the hard knocking Lebanese Tractor. Plum British is one to watch here as he dislodged his jockey on debut, having found some betting support before that.

Ndlovu, who finished second in the Challenge to the now high flying Lyle Hewitson two seasons ago, could win the third over 1000m for fillies and mares aboard the hard knocking and improving At A Glance. Lily Love is an interesting runner here as she has exceptional speed and it didn’t work last time when they tried to hold her up. If allowed to use her pace she can go close. Silver Jay has been backed both starts and must be considered, Berdanine, with Mosia up, would be no surprise winner having run well in her last two. Street Affair, Sea Revenant and Truth Of Beauty are three others who can’t be ignored.

Mosia is aboard the probable best bet of the day in the next race over 1600m, the Ormond Ferraris-trained Rubybay. This weak fillies and mares event over 1600m should be at the her mercy from pole position as none of the others have shown enough to be considered winners. She was a touch disappointing the last time she ran over this trip, but she had to overcome a wide draw that day and will likely be more handy this time. African Rhumba looks the main danger after a fair debut.

The fifth over 1800m is the most competitive race on the card and the whole field might have to be included in the Pick 6. Voodoo is the selection to win as he showed improvement over 2000m last time under this same rider Beto Mundluvo.

The sixth over 2000m for fillies and mares could go to Mosia as he is aboard the hard knocking and improving Malala, who is well drawn over an ideal course and distance.

The seventh over 1450m for fillies and mares is an interesting event. The one who looks to have the most promise is Bi Pot, who ran on well after being green on debut. However, she has a tough draw to overcome under Goodman Dadamisa. Third Dan and Doubly Attractive make most appeal of the others. However, Aerobatic can also be considered and an interesting runner is Pretty Popular, who ran well on debut and now, in her third start from pole position, has the blinkers on for the first time.

The meeting could be wrapped up with an upset win in the 1450m event for fillies and mares by Ndlovu aboard the long time maiden Kings Landing. She caught the eye running on strongly over 1200m last time and does not have a lot to beat here from a good draw. The front running Brave Nation could be dangerous and Payne’s Grey might enjoy the step down in trip. Queen Anne and Just As Frisky also have to be considered.

David Thiselton