Jockey Gavin Lerena is nine winners short of a hundred (at the time of writing) in the current season, but he could edge closer to three figures with his six rides at the Vaal on Thursday 20 July.
Currently sixth on the champion jockey log, he did score a treble at Turffontein in the beginning of the month, and by all indications he should repeat that feat come Thursday.
In Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, he will be aboard the Roy Magner-trained Super Awesome.
This son of Capetown Noir started his career in the Eastern Cape, but was considered a bit of a no-hoper following his 17-length defeat on debut to finish stone last in a field of 10.
Sent up to the Highveld, Magner has done wonders with the two-year-old, and he has been progressing at the speed of light. In his last outing, he was just pipped at the post to finish a half-length runner-up to King Rahul.
On Thursday, he faces a rather mediocre field and as the only runner to have placed in his short career, he probably doesn’t even need to improve to take the honours and break his duck.
In Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1450m, Lerena should be taken across the line first by Viva De Janeiro.
Trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren, this Oratorio-gelding will probably not have to do more than just show up to clinch a first career victory.
Beaten a short head last time out when facing a lot stronger, it’s almost inconceivable that the three-year-old will fail to deliver again. He has been rather costly to follow, and has been well-backed in all five his career runs, so it really is time for Viva De Janeiro to deliver.
He does come up against Golden Pavilion again, who finished just a nose and a half behind him last time out. But under the exact conditions, there’s no reason to believe that Alec Laird’s charge will reverse that result.
In Race 8, a Middle Stakes over 1200m, Lerena partners with Janse van Vuuren’s Fostinovo for the fifth time.
Having ridden this Flower Alley-gelding to two wins and two place-finishes from four attempts, including a victory over the course and distance, the Fostinovo-Lerena duo should build on their impeccable record.
Considering that Fostinovo beat highly regarded Melech as recently as November last year, a third career win is surely on the cards.
Clive Robinson
