Jockey Gavin Lerena will be hoping history repeats itself when racing returns to the Vaal on Thursday 22 June for an eight-race meeting.
At the previous Vaal meeting on Tuesday 13 June, where eight races were also contested, Lerena had six rides, winning three for three different trainers.
He steered Raffles, Samoa, and Sheldon to victory for trainers Roy Magner, Bridget Stidolph, and Johan Janse van Vuuren respectively.
On Thursday, Lerena again has six rides and he looks set to score another treble for three different trainers.
In Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1450m, Lerena is back in the saddle aboard the Candice Dawson-trained Nazare. This What A Winter-gelding finished runner-up in his last two starts when trying very hard and will be a deserved winner at the eighth time of asking.
The three-year-old must, however, overcome two hurdles. The first is that he might be suffering from “float-lag”, having been trucked down to Durban and back for his last run. The 1000km return trek by road often takes a toll on horses.
Nazare also has to concede 4kg to a number of progressing two-year-olds, most notably Scarlett Pimpernel, and his stable companion Storm Ahead from the yard of Mike and Adam Azzie.
Lerena’s mount has drawn well though in gate 3 and should be able to run the race to suit.
In Race 4, a MR81 Handicap over 2000m, Lerena partners up with Jet Dynasty again for trainer Sean Tarry.
The jockey-horse combination boasts two wins and a runner-up finish from three outings, so obviously form a formidable partnership.
Jet Dynasty was not quite himself last time out when trying 2400m for the first time and jumping from the widest gate, but back over the shorter should spring back to winning ways from gate 2.
An interesting competitor who must be watched is the lightly-raced Total Surrender from the stable of Lucky Houdalakis. This three-year-old gelding seems to have been very leniently treated by the handicapper, rated just 75 after shedding his maiden tag. There are maidens rated higher than this, so with just 55kg on his back he could spring a surprise.
Lerena could complete his treble in Race 7 with Dancing Dora for Fanie Bronkhorst.
A five-time winner from 23 runs, this daughter of Pomodoro is one of just two fillies taking on the boys in this MR75 Handicap over 1000m.
She has, however, taken on and beaten boys before, so there’s no reason to believe she can’t do so again.
Her last run, when running way below par, is best ignored as that was her first taste of a polytrack, which she obviously did not enjoy. Back on the Highveld, and on turf, she looks set to fight out the finish in a very competitive encounter.
Clive Robinson
