Lerena looks hot at Turffontein

Jack Milner

It is Workers’ Day on Thursday and jockey Gavin Lerena should be in for a good day at the racecourse in the south of Johannesburg where they will race on the Standside track.

Lerena has some excellent winning chances and could provide a banker or two in that particular exotic.

Best of his runners could be American Rebel who lines up in Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap over 2000m.  

Lerena steered the Weichong Marwing-trained runner to a resounding three-length win over the same distance on the Inside track six weeks ago and retains the ride. The maturing, lightly raced four-year-old gelding races off a career-high mark in slightly stronger company but, given the manner of his last-start success, neither is likely to prevent American Rebel from winning again and completing a Pick 3 for the jockey.

Tony Peter-trained Palace Dancer has not missed the money in her five starts under Lerena, winning twice. He maintains his association with the consistent three-year-old Potala Palace filly, a winner for the third time in eight starts when beating male opposition over 1500m on Vaal's Classic track in late March.

She takes on female-only rivals over 1400m in Race 4, a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares, and a three-point penalty for her last-start success is unlikely to halt her momentum.

The same trainer-jockey combination should go to the fore in the following event. Race 5 is a MR 81 Handicap over 1600m, and Lerena will be aboard another improving three-year-old in Shinto Shrine.

This grey son of Danon Platina stayed on gamely to finish fourth over 1400m in his last start 12 days ago when resuming after a six-month absence, during which he was gelded.

Peter's charge would have tightened up with the benefit of that comeback outing so should improve, especially over the extended distance and with blinkers refitted.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 10 Versace Onthetrack, 11 Wings Of Ice, 4 Hawksdale, 2 Chericherilady

Race 2: 1 Bingo, 2 Carnarvon, 3 Dragonheart, 5 Time Will Tell

Race 3: 7 Green Street, 1 Ichacha, 3 Alesian Beau, 9 Fire Starter

Race 4: 5 Palace Dancer, 1 Pointer, 2 Cape Lights, 8 Mountain High

Race 5: 4 Shinto Shrine, 2 Safe Space, 2 Salute The Flag, 12 Guerilla Warfare

Race 6: 4 American Rebel, 3 Orange County, 2 To The Rescue, 6 Arlington Action

Race 7: 7 Warm Winter Nite, 2 Cymric, 4 Silver Tudor, 9 Bosum Buddy

Race 8: 9 War Of Kingdoms, 6 Legendary, 1 Dontshootthebarman, 4 Ensuing

BEST BET

Race 1: 10 Versace Onthetrack

VALUE BET

Race 7: 7 Warm Winter Nite

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 1x7

BIPOT                                

R81

Leg 1: 10

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 1, 3, 7

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4

Leg 6: 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 1, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5

Leg 4: 3, 4

Leg 5: 4

Leg 6: 2, 7

Leg 7: 1, 6, 9

PICK 6

R900

Leg 1: 1, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4

Leg 4: 4

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9

JACKPOT 1

R60

Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9

JACKPOT 2

R75

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9