Gavin Lerena makes an appearance in Cape Town today when his main ride comes aboard Give It Laldy in race 8 over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has always been held in high regard and his last win shows the potential he holds.
Reigning Champion Jockey of South Africa Lerena has found himself in a golden spot by sharing rides with Sean Veale for Hollywood Racing. Lerena has had a rough season through some injuries and serving a suspension for indiscretions last season but he still trading at a high win percentage this season of nearly 19%.
Give It Laldy has only one indifferent run in his career which came over 1600m. He was not ready for that. He did not see out the trip but every other run is good quality, signs of a promising sprinter in the making.
His last victory was visually impressive. Give It Laldy quickened smartly to run away from Objet D’Art who did not seem to be stopping. He ran the finish out of the useful rival who he meets on 2kg worse terms for less than a length deficit. One cannot shake off the feeling that Give It Laldy is so progressive and he has something left in the locker. He has only raced five times for two wins and two places. He is still very much low mileage. It has been two months since his last run so fitness could be an issue with Objet O’Art coming off the same break. Weather has not been rough in Cape Town since the start of May so there is no reason to be behind from a work perspective.
Trainer Lucinda Woodruff has been in sensational form across the coast over the past few weeks. That would enhance confidence around the chances of Give It Laldy as well as Katsu a few races earlier. He has an outstanding chance.
Objet D’Art must stand out as a big danger. He is in a similar profile to Give It Laldy in that he is lightly raced and he must have bright days ahead of him. There has been little to choose between them. Give It Laldy seems like more of a sprinter while Objet D’Art could have be more versatile. Regardless, one cannot be ignored over the other. Craig Zackey is carded to take the ride.
Flying Finley is in the pink of health His brilliant work has been over 1000m lately and it is hard to imagine that he will suddenly not have the legs to run over an extra 100m. He is adaptable to change his running style too while Keagan de Melo gets a tune out of him. With his recent wins, his rating rises and life becomes harder but while he is performing in this manner, he cannot be ignored.
Another Hero has improved with every start and he looks set to exit the maiden ranks in race 1 over 1200m. His sequence reads fourth, third and second including runs to the promising Magma Flow, The Cullinan and Aquae Calidae. Of the raced runners, he has the most compelling form to recommend despite some pleasing runs from the likes of Saratona Sunrise and Rust Never Sleeps.
A first timer looks well primed to win race 2 over 1200m unless Catch me continues to improve but he must be vulnerable because he has not sparked up much. His last start came to the progressive Witch Hazel over this course and distance and he was well beaten. He made his debut in a minor feature so he must have been showing something to kick off against Tag And Release. Waiting Game is from one of the most prolific families on the circuit. Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Golden Ducat are half brothers to his mare, In Limbo. Bolero and Gentian are bred to be quick and they could have a touch of ability first up.
Jack A Dandy caught the eye on debut and he must stand a winning chance in race 3 over 1200m. He had no right to finish third behind Sing Forevermore but he found a late finish to end up nearly three lengths behind in third. If this run is not a performance premature from him really finding his feet, he could improve enough and win. Craig Zackey is up for Dean Kannemeyer.
Miss Smiley is no good thing in race 4 over 1000m but she is hinting that a win is around the corner. Her last start was a near miss in second behind Ruby Rex over this course and distance. She is a 10-start maiden which must be taken into account. With a field of unknowns and pedigrees perhaps not as strong as the earlier races, she might have found herself in the right race.
Superhero runs in race 5 over 1500m and he will take all the beating. After hitting the crossbar and finishing second in his last two runs, a win must be due. He gave red hot fancy Navasnine plenty to think about in his last run over 1400m at this course. Crucially, that was his first run after nearly a year off the track. He van only step forward from the run and strip a fitter horse.
Katsu has kept good company and that should serve him well off top weight of 62kg in race 6 over 1600m. Recent runs to Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Tenpenny and La Pulga and a recent run to the progressive Major Master indicates a sharp drop in class. He generally runs well above himself and he does not let the team down. Woodruff sends him out with Mickaelle Michel in the irons taking 1,5kg off his back.
Backinthefastlane and Trip To Camelot are both tree-year-olds starting at a low base after maiden wins but both look capable of scaling up from Class 5 company. They meet in race 7 over 1950m. Both have reasons to work with them. Backinthefastlane just needs to show that he can reach this trip. His form is solid and he must have a top chance while Trip To Camelot is taking the long route but he should love this trip being a relation to SA Derby winners Hero’s Honour and Legend Of Arthur.
