Lerena a Key Worker at Turffontein

Jack Milner

Gavin Lerena started off the new season with a brace at the Vaal yesterday and can continue the good streak at Turffontein on Saturday, when they race on the Standside track.

Once again, he has some really good rides but one, in particular, stand out – Key Worker in Race 2.

Race 2 is a Maiden Plate over 1800m Lerena and will be aboard filly Key Worker for his fourth crack at a win.

The Gimmethegreenlight filly is a full sister to Surcharge, who was also trained by Stuart Pettigrew before going overseas and having his named changed to Yulong Prince. He won six of his 11 starts while with Pettigrew, including the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 in 2018. He later settled in Australia where he won a Grade 1 event.

While this filly has a long way to go to match the record of her older brother, she could still turn out to be useful and should appreciate the extra distance on this occasion.

Lerena and Pettigrew had success yesterday in Race 1 with Orange County and the manner of that victory left one with the impression the son of Flower Alley is worth following.

Lerena also rides King Of Numbers in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1160m, for trainer Brett Webber, and this Royal Mo gelding had a great debut run on the Highveld after moving up from the Western Cape.

Lerena does not ride often for trainer Erico Verdonese but when he does, they have a good record together.

They team up with Diesel's Shadow in Race 4, a MR 74 Handicap over 1800m. He has won on the last two occasions Lerena has been aboard and was a well-backed winner last time out.

He could easily add to Lerena’s tally.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 King Of Numbers, 3 Pacific, 4 Summer Shade, 8 Dwight Eisenhower

Race 2: 4 Key Worker, 7 Flying Hafla, 1 Butternutenrooiwyn, 2 Enchanted Royal

Race 3: 1 Dual Prophecy, 6 The Cane Train, 2 Storm Ahead, 3 Oranjemund

Race 4: 3 Diesel's Shadow, 6 Hazlo Grande, 7 Fifth Of July, 2 Thambi

Race 5: 2 On The Horizon, 1 Gimme A Shot, 4 Key Element, 3 Soldier's Eye

Race 6: 2 Spring Tradition, 3 Guardia Regine, 4 Circus Lights

Race 7: 10 What A Lucy, 4 Law Of Success, 3 Wings Within Me, 7 Golden Aspen

Race 8: 3 Shampimpi, 2 Where's The Party, 7 Raining Rubies, 6 Love Tap

Race 9: 2 Sakhala Is'Cathulo, 4 Golden Chandelier, 6 In The Ether, 7 Coming In Hot

BEST BET

Race 2 No 4 Key Worker

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 3 Shampimpi

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 1x2

BIPOT

R48

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6

Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 7

Leg 4: 1, 2

Leg 5: 5

Leg 6: 4, 10

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6

Leg 2: 3, 6, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 5

Leg 5: 10

Leg 6: 2, 3, 7

Leg 7: 2, 4, 6, 7

PICK 6

R900

Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 3, 4, 10

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 6: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

JACKPOT 1

R45

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4

Leg 2: 5

Leg 3: 3, 4, 10

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

JACKPOT 2

R75

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 3, 4, 10

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7