Gavin Lerena received some modest consolation for his WSB Met disappointment a half hour earlier, when Salvator Mundi ran a cracker to win the R500 000 New Turf Carriers Gr2 Western Cape Stayers at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Lerena had experienced the devastation of seeing the celebration of a successful defence in the WSB Met cut down in a heartbeat as he looked to have done everything right on Kommetdieding – only to find Jet Dark in deadly form.
Salvator Mundi finishes well under Gavin Lerena (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
But that’s history and he rode a well-judged race to get the solid stayer Salvator Mundi home at 20-1 to register a career first graded stakes success.
The victory by the Dynasty gelding gave Lerena his second winner’s cheque on the day and would also have been another happy moment for co-owner Greg Bortz, who would have been thrilled to have seen an improved showing from his delinquent favourite Pomp And Power, who ran on stoutly for third in the big race behind Jet Dark and Kommetdieding.
Salvator Mudi went off at 20-1 and beat the much vaunted Nebraas (14-10) by a half length in a time of 186,07 secs.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Salvator Mundi, who races in the interests of Greg Bortz and Pamela Isdell, is a son of the evergreen Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the twice-winning Captain Al Secret Obsession.
He has won 5 races with 8 places from 23 starts and stakes of R665 075.
