Established top jockeys Gavin Lerena and Craig Zackey have hit the ground running this season and they continue to ride winners all across the country. They occupy the top two positions in the current national jockeys’ standings with Lerena leading the way on 85 winners at an impressive 26% strike-rate (at the time of writing) and Zackey in joint second with record-breaking reigning champion Richard Fourie on 77 winners.
Bettors following both leading Highveld-based jockeys on the eight-event Vaal Classic track card on Thursday 19 December could be smiling all the way to the bank, as Lerena and Zackey have competitive rides throughout the meeting and are likely to dominate proceedings.
Sean Tarry-trained Mountain High has finished second in both starts this term and the daughter of Rafeef should go one better under Zackey, who rode her last time, in Race 2 over 1450m. This three-year-old filly was beaten 5.50 lengths over 1160m in late October after a narrow defeat on her seasonal reappearance over 1450m on Turffontein’s Inside track, so the step up in trip to that distance in Leg 1 of the Place Accumulator will suit Mountain High and she is worth a confident bet to open her account.
Consistent Happy Mo won a 1500m race under Lerena on the straight Vaal course two starts back but this progressive Royal Mo filly was even more impressive when following up under Rachel Venniker over 1600m on the Standside track at Turffontein last month.
Johan Janse van Vuuren’s runner was dropped out from the widest starting stall to the rear of the field before running on powerfully to snare re-opposing Doitwithdiamonds (2kg better off) in a close finish.
They renew rivalry in Race 3 over 1600m and progressive Happy Mo is good value to defy the weight turnaround off a career-high mark (under a four-point penalty) by completing her hat-trick with Lerena back aboard.
The Tarry-Zackey combination will be to the fore again in Race 5 over 1600m with Act Of War gelding Peace Treaty who, like stable companion Mountain High earlier, needn’t improve much over the extended trip (after a recent second over 1450m), to shed his maiden tag.
Promising three-year-olds Bacchus and Wild Intent are two of five last-start winners in the 11-horse field of Race 7 over 1800m. Both progressive geldings should have more to offer over this distance after victories over 1600m and 1700m, respectively, though it could pay to side with the Fabian Habib-trained former who Lerena rides.
Bacchus finished a close-up second to unbeaten Cape Guineas contender Heather’s Boy over 1600m with Lerena aboard before running out a workmanlike winner of a Vaal 1600m handicap under veteran Piere Strydom four weeks ago.
Clive Robinson