Good day looms for Peter and Mongqawa

The guys and girls who do so much work around the stables take centre stage at the Vaal tomorrow when Leg 2 of the Work Riders’ Challenge will be staged.

The Challenge carries prize money of R50,000 and is takes place on the Highveld over three legs during the season.

This time the combination of trainer Paul Peter and regular rider Phenisile Mongqawa look the pair to follow.

The two have a very close relationship. Phenisile’s mother worked (and still works) for the He family. When he was in his late teens, Peter heard screams coming from the maid’s quarters and he went in to see what was happening.

He burst in to find Phenisile’s mother giving birth and he helped deliver the baby. Ever since, Mongqawa has been an adopted member of the family, with the trainer almost taking a paternal role. It was Peter who saw the talent in the youngster and took him along to James Maree to be part of the work riders’ programme.

The best two runners look to be Major Winter in Race 5 and Lotus in Race 6. The card is made up purely of Maiden Plates and these two are over both over 1700m, the first for all maidens and the second for fillies and mares.

Major Winter has run twice, both over 1400m at Turffontein, and has finished fourth in both. Last time he ran on well to end up just 1.50 lengths behind Humble Tune. He clearly will enjoy the extra 300m.

Lotus has been frustrating and costly to follow as she has finished runner-up in her last four starts. However, this is her third run back from a layoff and that should help the daughter of Flower Alley.

Jockey Anton Marcus looks the jockey to follow at Kenilworth today as he appears to have some decent rides. Best of the day looks to be Paper Trail in Race 6, a Maiden Pate over 1400m.

Marcus climbs aboard this Vaughan Marshal-trained runner for the first time and he has the benefit of jumping from No 1 draw.

He looks hard to beat.