At time of writing, it is still neck and neck at the top of the Jockey’s log with Craig Zackey in front with 141 winners. If it is still close on Tuesday after this weekend’s racing Gavin Lerena could make a major move as he has at least three promising rides.
He looks to be riding the best of Tony Peter’s three juveniles on show in Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m.
Mister Wilson was always in the vanguard when fourth behind Read All About It, Bingo and Power Of Pearls on debut. The placed runners all look like to win shortly and since he doesn’t meet a field full of strong form, Mister Wilson could be the first to frank the form line.
Juniper Green, who lines up in Race 4, a MR 66 Handicap over 1450m, could be Lerena’s best ride on the day. She is a four-year-old filly by Querari who started her career in decent fashion, running out an impressive winner of her second start, a 1600m maiden in KwaZulu-Natal.
She lost her way thereafter but after relocating to the Highveld and placed in the capable hands of trainer Fabian Habib, she caught the eye again.
She was fitted with a compression hood in her last start and travelled well throughout, only finding one better in Sean Tarry’s up-and-coming sprinter Green Sapphire by 2.10 lengths. Lerena has good hands and should suit the previously edgy filly over a distance that must suit her better than that of her last start which was over 1200m.
Lerena will also be hoping to make amends in Race 6, a MR 72 Handicap over 2400m. He was unlucky not to add an 11th career win to Habib’s top stayer Zeus recently and while he got everything right, a lightly weighted Marauding Horde spoilt that party.
His mount, Another Universe, has been brought along patiently by the Mike and Adam Azzie father and son combo, who are in solid form at present.
Another Universe, a son of Ideal World, should realise a much higher merit rating when fully matured. In six starts he has shown himself to be a useful stayer in the making. He does have a wide draw to overcome but is a one-paced galloper who can overcome his No 11 barrier at the jump and keep going.
For a bit of value, two runners who could be worth each-way wagers are Empress Wu (Race 1) and Royal Miracle (Race 3). The former is the top-rated horse in the race based on merit ratings, but she could still go off at a good price as Flightlight and Jinger Jam, who still have to prove themselves, run for leading yards.
Royal Miracle could just be the horse with big improvement to come on the day. He ran a much-improved race after gelding last time and could be even better with blinkers fitted this time.
Clive Robinson
