Lerena to be the victor for Lucinda in the Cape
Jack Milner
Gavin Lerena is riding the crest of the wave currently and he could be set for another good day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.
He teams up with trainer Lucinda Woodruff in a four of the nine races on the card and they could have a decent afternoon.
Perhaps the best could be Victor Hugo who lines up in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1400m.
The original Victor Hugo was a successful French author and politician who is most famous for writing Les Miserables and the Hunchback Of Notre Dame and his equine namesake could leave a few punters feeling miserable if he fails to win this race.
The three-year-old son of Danon Platina has raced three times, and after finishing fourth on debut and finished a close up second in his next start over 1200m, followed by a third place when attempting 1600m in his last run.
The gelding found solid betting support to go off as the 14-10 favourite but he did have valid excuses for his four-length defeat. He hung badly and also hurt his mouth. He also faded late in the race and may have found the trip a touch too far so the drop to 1400m should be right up his street.
This is the first time Lerena will be in the irons and he will have to overcome No 8 draw which is not that easy over this distance.
However, Victor Hugo looks to have a lot more potential than any of his opposition and could provide bettors with a banker in the opening leg of the BiPot on what is a highly competitive racecard.
Woodruff and Lerena could also provide bettors with some value in Race 7, a Class 4 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, with Sohot Sowhat.
This three-year-old Soqrat filly finished unplaced behind reopposing Back At The George over 1200m but showed massive improvement in her second outing over the same distance to score a runaway 3.75-length win over Catch A Penny.
On paper she is held by Back At The George but the she was not a happy filly in her opening event and clearly knows a lot more about the game now.
Her second race, run in yielding going, produced a much faster time than the race won by Dean Kannemeyer’s charge and although only 0.5kg better off, could very well turn it around.
Lerena rode her to victory last time, so he clearly knows what to expect.
Jack Milner's selections
Race 1: 1 Cliff Swallow, 12 Master Bomber, 11 Manikongo, 3 Secret Passage
Race 2: 8 Victor Hugo, 7 Bel Canto Dream, 11 Honorine's Gimmie, 6 Grand Allegro
Race 3: 2 Blind Ambition, 16 Spinmyangelsspin, 7 Supreme Fate, 8 Sweet Conifer
Race 4: 11 Umfula, 2 Red Dawn, 1 Gran Canaria, 7 Tunguska
Race 5: 4 What A Fortune, 9 Ozark, 3 Noon Day Gun, 6 Ischyro
Race 6: 8 Becky Sharp, 7 Royal Lytham, 12 December Dawn, 6 Why Not Jackie
Race 7: 8 Sohot Sowhat, 6 Back At The George, 9 First Masterpiece, 1 Bela Vista
Race 8: 6 Furious Queen, 8 In The Green Zone, 1 Barney Mcgrew, 10 Rattlesnake
Race 9: 7 Tambourine Man, 5 King Viserys, 3 Electric Feels, 6 Xplicit Content
BEST BET
Race 2: 8 Victor Hugo
VALUE BET
Race 7: 8 Sohot Sowhat
BEST SWINGER
Race 8 6x8
BIPOT
R288
Leg 1: 8
Leg 2: 2, 7, 8, 16
Leg 3: 1, 2, 11
Leg 4: 4, 9
Leg 5: 6, 7, 9, 12
Leg 6: 6, 8, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 2, 7, 16
Leg 2: 1, 2, 11
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 7, 9, 12
Leg 5: 6, 8, 9
Leg 6: 6
Leg 7: 3, 5, 7
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 7, 11
Leg 2: 4, 9
Leg 3: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12
Leg 4: 1, 6, 8, 9
Leg 5: 6, 8
Leg 6: 3, 5, 6, 7
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 4, 9
Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12
Leg 3: 1, 6, 8, 9
Leg 4: 6, 8
JACKPOT 2
R192
Leg 3: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12
Leg 4: 1, 6, 8, 9
Leg 5: 6, 8
Leg 6: 3, 5, 6, 7