Turffontein’s Standside track hosts an eight-race Public Holiday meeting on Thursday 1 May and there are several attractive betting propositions throughout the Workers Day fixture, particularly Jackpot ONE (Race 4 to Race 7) which leading Highveld jockey Gavin Lerena could make his own.
At the same venue on Charity Mile Day in November 2016, Lerena joined an illustrious list of jockeys to ride all four legs of the Jackpot. And lightning will likely strike twice for the National Championship-chasing rider.
Tony Peter-trained Palace Dancer hasn’t 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 Leg 1 of the first Jackpot (Race 4) and a three-point penalty for her last-start success isn’t likely to halt her momentum.
The same trainer-jockey combination should go to the fore in the following event, Race 5 over 1600m, with another improving three-year-old, 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’ve tightened up with the benefit of that comeback outing so should improve, especially over the extended distance and with blinkers refitted.
Lerena steered American Rebel to a resounding 3-length win over 2000m on the Inside track six weeks ago and retains the ride aboard Weichong Marwing’s runner in Race 6 over the same distance. 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.
Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Cymric fits a similar profile and is good value to follow up his 1 March last-start victory over 1160m with another course-and-distance score in Race 7 that will close out a Jackpot cleansweep.
Clive Robinson
