Two of the country’s top riders, Muzi Yeni and Gavin Lerena, could bag quite a few winners between them on the Inside track at Turffontein on Tuesday. There are plenty improving sorts to include in all to comes and to follow into the future.
Yeni rides the highest rated horse in Race 1, Panning Gold, but this gelding was a big disappointment after being heavily backed to win over 2000m against winners. He did have excuses in that he was found to not be striding freely, and he is now dropping in class but is only proven over shorter.
Lerena’s rides well-bred Alec Laird inmate Yojimbo and could take advantage. He looked to be battling in his second start over 1700m but started to progress near the end, giving the impression he wants ground. He is, after all, a full brother to dual Oaks winning mare None Other and Lerena could take home the first from Yeni. Wins on Yojimbo and Exactas with Panning Gold looks the way to go.
The pair also have what look to be choice rides in Race 4, a lowly rated MR 66 Handicap. Lerena is on Basingstoke who has been progressing nicely, and although he doesn’t look a top sort in the making, he could still have the measure of the field he meets.
He beat Cars Big As Bars last time who won straight after that.
Add to that he jumps from gate No 1 which is a big advantage on the inside track and Yeni, who rides Pacific, will need to be at the top of his game to catch him.
Pacific also has workmanlike credentials, and in his post-maiden run he was beaten only two lengths by John Wick which is a decent run. But he does appear to have his work cut out this time.
Yeni rides a promising sort in Poblano in Race 6, a MR 88 Handicap over 1000m. The well-bred daughter of Rafeef came in for a bit of support on debut but the way she beat well-supported Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Cosmic Queen and Mike de Kock’s more fancied Roaming Spirit, was impressive, and she could be anything.
She faces solid performers like Nettleton and Bosum Buddy who both ran very good races recently and as a result she may provide some punters with some value.
In Race 7 Lerena’s mount, Andi’s Girl, has powerful form, having run second to recent Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge winner Back In Business in July, but she has yet to win in four tries on the Inside track and is back after a break of 52 days.
Yeni could have the advantage aboard St John Gray’s underrated but game filly, Across The Pond, who is bidding to make it three wins in a row. Not only is she in hot form but she carries a light weight off 52kg against Andi’s Girl’s 56.5kg.
Lerena’s best on the day must be Say It Loud who, like Across The Pond, must be headed for Black-Type races. She won for De Kock at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on debut and in her second start was fancied in a powerful contest against best-weighted Mia Moo. She was all at sea on her local debut and didn’t disgrace herself finishing 4.90 lengths behind.
Being by Gimmethegreenlight she should relish the 1400m trip she tries in Race 8, a MR 76 Handicap and could be on her way to better things after this.
Yeni has a useful and improving mount in Future Date but his next winning chance is likely to come up in Race 9 where he rides Courageous who, after running a very creditable race behind runaway winner Vulcanite, should enjoy a drop in class.
