Andrew Harrison
With under two weeks of the current season left to run, Gavin Lerena can all but sew up the Jockey Championship at Turffontein today where he has nine fancied rides on the 10-race card. Going into yesterday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting where he had five rides, he was eight winners clear of reigning champion Richard Fourie.
Fourie has opted to stay home in a wet Cape Town for these two meetings which could indicate that he has resigned himself to second place on the log.
However, there is still the small matter of a 12-race card on World Pool Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Sunday where Fourie is sure to have some plum rides. Deadline for final declarations for the meeting are at 11am this morning.
Lerena could get his afternoon off to a winning start when he partners Pretty Persuasive in the card opener. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s filly hacked up in her Highveld debut after a four-month break, her first outing resulting in a smart effort against males and finishing just 3.5 lengths back to the more than useful Military Command.
She does however, have to give 3kg to Candice Dawson’s filly Anchorage who has finished runner-up in all three of her starts with Serino Moodley making the trip to the Highveld.
Lerena is aboard another Van Vuuren charge in the second. Top Division cruised to an easy victory on debut and although drawn widest of all he is likely to start deep in the red.
Lerena could have opposition from S’Manga Khumalo in the first leg of the PA where Lerena partners Frere Jacques for Lucky Houdalakis. The gelding was a well-beaten second on debut but the step up in trip should suit. Khumalo partners Safe Travel who has placed in both starts but now steps up in trip.
Lerena will need to overcome a tricky draw on another Houdalakis filly in the first leg of the Pick 6. Wise Counsel has shown up well in two sprints and the step up in trip should suit. Rendezvous In Rio looks a lively threat as she has her third run after a break and Joe Soma steps her up in trip. However, she has drawn one outside of Wise Counsel in gate 11. Khumalo will be aboard Winds Of Grace who is tested over the trip and has a good draw however, she has not been out since April.
In the fifth, Hopscotch is another Lerena ride that is likely to start top of the boards. The filly has been knocking on the door for Fanie Bronkhorst and although drawn wide she stays the trip well. Possible danger could be Flightlight, Sean Tarry’s only runner with Piere Strydom aboard.
Lerena will have his work cut out on Sergeant Soqrat in the sixth. The gelding disappointed last Thursday but a Corne Spies runner can never be ignored. A better bet could be Mizzen Sword. He found all sorts of trouble when tried over ground for the first time and can build on that effort for Mark Khan. Heroic Act improved in first time blinkers for Tyrone Zackey and this shorter trip with a 4kg claimer aboard will find many supporters.
Lerena takes a breather without a ride in the seventh where Captain Efficient and Lonely As A Cloud look to be the principal contenders.
The eighth is the main event on the card and it looks wide open. Lerena stays with Francine who he has partnered in her last five starts so knows her well. She also has the best of the draw. However, she gives away 7.5kg to her younger rival, It’s Her Way who was a comfortable winner last run and can follow up.
Fanie Bronkhorst has two strong contender in the final leg of the Pick 6. Lerena rides Azaleas For All who could be the pick as she has won her last two races with Lerena aboard while Khumalo is aboard stable companion Play With Fire who was a touch disappointing last run but had solid previous form and should be right up there.
