Lerena set for Vaal treble

Jack Milner

Gavin Lerena continues to churn out the winners and he can grab a treble on Thursday at the Vaal.

He can kick off in Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, where he rides Tony Peter-trained Cars As Big As Bars. The Pathfork filly caught the eye on debut when staying on to finish second in a Work Riders’ Maiden Plate over 1000m a fortnight back. On that evidence, the step up to 1200m will stand her in good stead.

She would have come on appreciably from that encouraging introduction so should strike and get the ball rolling for Lerena.

American Rebel took a walk in the betting last time and was as if somebody had insight as to the way the race would go. Sadly, the Weichong Marwing-trained son of Rebel King had no luck in running and ended up in sixth place behind High Queue over 1800m on the Classic course.

In spite of losing ground at the start, being cramped for galloping and having to be steadied, the four-year-old gelding still managed to finish just 1.40 lengths behind the winner.

This time he lines up in Race 5, a MR 71 Handicap over 2000m, and Lerena takes the ride. His lone win was over 1600m but two runs back he tried 2000m and ran into third, beaten 4.50 lengths by Battleofbarberton.

Unfortunately, American Rebel does have the misfortune of jumping slowly but if Lerena can get him out on terms, he does look to have another win or two in his tank.

Lerena should have the last laugh and share riding spoils on the day with Zackey by steering the Lucky Houdalakis-trained filly Francilien to victory over 1200m as she returns to the scene of her last-start maiden success under the same rider for her handicap debut in Race 8.

This exciting daughter of What A Winter confirmed the promise of her debut second over the track and trip by beating re-opposing Palace Dancer (1kg better off) by a length on 21 August, and the latter has since franked that form by winning subsequently - also over the course and distance.

Peter could also have a good day and in particular, it should be interesting to see how Silent War performs in Race 7, a Middle Stakes over 1400m. This six-year-old gelding will take a mighty drop in class when he lines up in this event and he has been racing against some of the best in the land and producing some promising results.

In June, he came back from a rest and beat well supported Anfields Rocket in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein and followed that up with a 2.25-length fourth behind Lucky Lady in another Pinnacle Stakes over the same course and distance.

Last time out he contested the Listed Betway Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m on the Inside track at Turffontein where he finished a 4.75-length fourth behind Back In Business, giving him 3.5kg.

Joe Soma’s charge proved how useful he is when pulling off the “Spring” double, as last Saturday, Back In Business captured the Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m, also on the Turffontein Inside track, beating a much stronger field in the process.

Silent War takes quite a strong drop in class and with apprentice Trent Mayhew taking 2.5kg off his back, this son of Gimmethegreenlight could be hard to beat.

He does jump up to 1400m but his five runs over distance have yielded two wins and two fourth places.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Antonio Gaudi, 6 Spy Story, 11 Pennsylvania, 13 Green Street

Race 2: 4 Cars Big As Bars, 12 Zalta Star, 9 Gerbera, 7 Intro

Race 3: 8 Pacific, 4 John Wick, 3 Chieftain, 2 Nkandla Gold

Race 4: 1 Champion Warrior, 2 Trident King, 3 Fostinovo, 5 Key News

Race 5: 1 American Rebel, 9 Guy Alexander, 6 Panning Gold, 4 Red Legend

Race 6: 1 Callmewhenuneedme, 2 In The Beginning, 8 Second Breath, 5 Midnight Gem

Race 7: 1 Silent War, 9 Jury's Out, 7 Pomodoro's Jet, 2 Chyavana

Race 8: 1 Francilien, 3 Palace Dancer, 5 Raining Rubies, 7 Mix The Magic

BEST BET

Race 6 No 1 Callmewhenuneedme

VALUE BET

Race 3 No 8 Pacific

BEST SWINGER

Race 8 1x3

BIPOT

R 144

Leg 1: 5, 6, 11

Leg 2: 4, 12

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3

Leg 5: 1, 9

Leg 6: 1

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 4, 12

Leg 2: 3, 4, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 1, 9

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 1, 7, 9

Leg 7: 1, 3

PICK 6

R1800

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

Leg 6: 1, 3

JACKPOT 1

R180

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

JACKPOT 2

R72

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

Leg 4: 1, 3