Anathi Feni rode three winners in the final leg of the Workriders Challenge at the Vaal straight course today and added to the two wins he rode in the first leg of the Challenge that was enough to see him emerge the overall winner.

The second leg of the Work Riders’ Challenge fell victim to the heavy rains on the Highveld.

Phenisile Mongqawa went into the day on 32 points, with Feni on 30 points, Joe Gwingwizha on 28 and Chamu Mabaya in fourth place on 24 points.

Mongqawa increased his lead when winning the second race aboard the Robyn Klaasen-trained Futura filly Chateau Futura, who was backed in from 10/1 to 7/2.

Feni then failed on the favourite in the third and it was not looking too good for him, especially when he finished second last in the fourth race.

However, it all changed thanks to a 50/1 winner, the Corrie Lensley-trained Pomodoro gelding San Marzano. This horse had no form, but Feni took advantage of his high draw. There seemed to be a bias towards the outside down the straight and he stormed in by five lengths.

Feni then converted favouritism in the the next race, an 1800m race, on the hard-knocking Mike de Kock-trained On The Guest List. He earned his riding fee here with some hard driving in the straight when On The Guest List was challenged.

Feni sealed victory when winning the next on the progressive De Kock-trained Mambo Come Tesio, who relished the step up in trip to 1800m, as was expected. 

Mongqawa won the last race on the Shaylen Naidoo-trained Carnelo, but it was too little too late.