Lerena duo look hot in new Grand Series
THE World Sports Betting Grand Series will finally be run at Turffontein tomorrow and trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren along with jockey Gavin Lerena look the pair to follow.
The original Grand Heritage was scheduled to be run at the Vaal but it was apparent following a track inspection on Monday that the Vaal course would not be ready for the race meeting so it therefore became necessary to move the event to Turffontein. Unfortunately, Turffontein cannot accommodate a 28-horse field so it was decided to split the field into two races.
The two races will now be called the World Sports Betting Grand Series Leg 1 and 2 but will still be run over 1 475m.
The winners of the two races will qualify for a match race early in December at the Vaal to determine who carries the title of Series Champion.
Favourite for the original race, Mardi Gras, has stood his ground and is now carded to run in Leg 2 for which he is now the 16-10 favourite. Lerena takes the ride on the Johan Janse van Vuurentrained runner but the one concern is that he is drawn No 11, not great on the Turffontein Inside track. Having said that, Mardi Gras comes from off the pace and is likely to be dropped out in any case. He has won his only race at the course.
Trainer Geoff Woodruff, no doubt, will be delighted with the move as he saddles 11-2 second favourite Zouaves who has raced four times on the track for three wins and a two-length third behind Puget Sound. In addition, he has landed an ideal No 3 draw. Chase Maujean rides. The draw could be in his favour but there is no doubting the class of Mardi Gras.
Janse van Vuuren and Lerena have had better luck in Race 7 (Leg 1) where they team up with Divine Odyssey. He is drawn No 3 and is quoted as the 9-2 favourite. Van Vuuren also has Irish Pride, who was the winner of the Grand Heritage in 2016.
Speaking about his three runners Janse van Vuuren said: “Mardi Gras is well weighted and took his run last week very well. He is a deserved favourite and will give a good account of himself.
“Divine Odyssey is a lovely horse but still a little immature and this is a touch on the sharp side. A good race to get him going for the bigger races later on.
“Irish Pride is a real old soldier. He has come down in the ratings, and at some stage will become competitive again.”
Race 7 looks wide open and others to consider include Soldier On, Chepardo and Purple Diamond. Soldier On is second favourite at 5-1 along with Chepardo.