Thankfully escaping injury when falling heavily from Rainbow Reward a few strides after winning the first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, Gavin Lerena will take up his six engagements at Turffontein today.
Rainbow Reward appeared to sidestep a shadow a stride after the winning post and took an awkward step, unseating Lerena.
Gavin Lerena – fortunate escape yesterday (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The top jockey is back in Johannesburg and confirmed to the Sporting Post that he was ready to ride again today.
Racing takes place on the Standside course this afternoon and nine races are carded.
There are three feature races on the programme including the Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes, Non-Black Type Highveld Winter Juvenile Stakes and the Non-Black Type Highveld Winter Juvenile Stakes (Fillies). The first is due off at 12h00.
Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren saddles Puerto Manzano in the Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes.
He was given a peach of a ride when winning the Grade 1 WSB Premier’s Champions Challenge last time. It must be noted that the horse that finished third that day has come out and won since. He is unbeaten from two starts over this course and distance. Despite his big mass of 62kgs, he should take a power of beating.
Manz Knight from the Paul Matchett stable may be the horse to close off the meeting.
He was slow into stride when making the trip to KZN last time but stayed on to finish fifth. The son of Gimmethegreenlight takes time to unwind and if not too far out of his ground turning for home, he can shed his maiden tag.
| Weather | Mostly sunny, 3 – 20 degs, 13 – 32 km/h North Westerly Cross/Head wind. Sunset@ 5:23pm | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: Nil | |
| Irrigation | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: 12mm | |
| Penetrometer Reading | 21 | ||
| Track Condition | Good | ||
| False Rail | 5m on the back straight to 8m on the bend with an 8m spur at the 700m mark | ||
- The Bipot starts in the second race at 12h30
- The Place Accumulator starts in the third race at 13h00
- The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race at 13h35
- The first Jackpot starts in the fifth race at 14h10
- The second Jackpot starts in the sixth race at 14h45
