Unparalleled and Gavin Lerena storm away from the Dingaans field (JC Photos)
A knockout blow that was to ultimately be the major contributor to a R2 million plus Turffontein Pick 6 dividend arrived in the R500 000 Gr 2 Dingaans when the Johan Janse van Vuuren trained Lateral gelding Unparalleled scored a shock victory over the fancied Harry’s Son.
The day had been going very much according to plan up to this point, with thunder and rain in the Fillies Mile earlier being replaced by a beautiful rainbow in the Dingaans.
Johan Janse Van Vuuren – big win
But there was to be no pot of gold in the equation for most punters as Gavin Lerena tracked Sun On Africa and Amazing Strike the whole way round and into the home straight.
Lerena gave Unparalleled the office at the 400m marker and the Lateral gelding bounced a match-winning 3 lengths clear.
With Strydom getting to work and Harry’s Son gathering his stride, the race looked to be on still at the 300m. But it was clear that the leader was not stopping and he ran all the way to the line at an earth shattering R41-90 tote win.
Gavin Lerena deserves plenty of credit for a clever ride.
He pushed Unparalleled out and he scooted away to turn the formbook and the world on its head at 55 to 1. His official win margin was 4,25 lengths and he clocked 98,74 secs.
The 16 to 10 Harry’s Son ran on steadily but must go down as slightly disappointing – he had no answer to the winner’s turn of foot.
Sean Tarry’s French Navy continues to suggest he has a nice career ahead of him and he ran on well into third a further 1,25 lengths behind Harry’s Son.
The filly Siren’s Call flew late and was not disgraced in fourth – she won’t be long in winning against her own.
Mike De Kock’s Jayyed, a Group placed maiden, who was fancied to possibly upstage the favourite, was never in the hunt and finished over 15 lengths behind.
Gavin Lerena – clever ride
De Kock hinted at breathing issues but said the colt was not quite ready for an operation yet. That may all change now and he should not be written off.
Frank Robinson’s boom chestnut Leven Point arrived from KZN with a big reputation and a smart track record. He went home with his tail between his legs after running closer to last.
Unparalleled took his win tally to 2 from 8 starts with 5 places and stakes of R433 500.
Unparalleled was bred by The Alchemy and is by Lateral out of the unraced Elliodor mare, Sublime Surge, a half-sister to Gr1 winning sire Crimson Waves.
Unparalleled was bought back by vendor The Alchemy at the CPYS for R250 000.
He was then re-offered by The Alchemy at the KZN Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down to Corne Spies for R150 000.
The recorded purchaser appears to have subsequently been amended to Vicky Veeramootoo, who now races him in partnership.
Tellytrack presenter Gareth Pepper, who selected the winner with Johan Janse van Vuuren, was on the winner’s podium with his Dad, Brett, a part-owner in the winner and borther Michael.
He confirmed that is was the first time that he, his father and brother were all on hand to lead in a winner. Brett has owned horses since 1982.
Besides the winning stake, the connections also enjoyed the Bloodstock SA R100 000 Value Added Bonus.
.
