Lerena backs Hawks
GREAT INITIATIVE. RIDERS CUP IS DIFFERENT AS JOCKEYS RIDE AS A TEAM
Buffalo Bill Cody faces test in the Champions Cup.
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Ken Nicol
Despite a few ups and downs along the way, Gavin Lerena has enjoyed another highly successful season and currently sits on 165 winners, placing him fourth in the standings.
Not bad considering he missed the first six weeks while recovering from a nasty fall in the Derby Trial at Turffontein last March.
“I made a slow start after my return and didn’t take many rides for the first month.
“But after that I was fully recovered and things started to pick up. Around April I was thinking of starting to chase the championship. But I picked up a couple of suspensions at the wrong time which put paid to that.
“I’m very pleased with my season all things considered. Riding great horses like Hawwaam and Rainbow Bridge is always an honour and a privilege.”
But he’s loathe to compare the two.
“They’re both top horses, but very different and Hawwaam is still maturing.
“In the July Rainbow Bridge was in good rhythm throughout the race and in a perfect place. He cruised through and when I squeezed him 250 out he kicked. I though nothing could beat me, but Do It Again is a real superstar.”
His partnership with Mauritzfontein and Wilgerbosdrift Studs has gone from strength to strength since its inception last October.
“We’ve had a fantastic season together and it’s been great to ride for Mary Slack and Jessica Jell, who are really good people. I’m very proud to represent them. They are so emotionally invested in racing as well as financially and they deserve all the success they get.”
Indeed Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein are already assured of the champion breeder’s title for 2018-9, with total stakes won of almost R28 million putting them over R7 million clear of second placed Klawervlei.
Mrs Slack and Mrs Jell are of course respectively the daughter and granddaughter of the late Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer. And as far as can be ascertained in all their decades of racing the Oppenheimer name has never before been champion breeder. So it’s a momentous achievement.
Gavin is of course looking forward to riding their Buffalo Bill Cody in the Grade 1 WSB Champions Cup at Greyville on 27 July.
“He’s a really good horse and pulled up well after his last run, which was the main thing.
“This is his first run in any type of Graded race, so it will be a big test.
“But Mr de Kock is a world class trainer and will have him ready on the day, despite not having a perfect prep.”
Indeed Gavin is looking good for the big day, as he has also unsurprisingly retained the ride on Putontheredlight for Sean Tarry in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes.
“He’s an exciting prospect and going to be a top horse, but will have a wide draw to overcome,” was his summing up.
The annual Rider Cup inter provincial jockeys competition takes place at Greyville on Sunday, and Gavin is anticipating the Highveld Hawks completing a hattrick of wins.
“It’s a great initiative. It’s a bit different riding in a team environment. You might for instance give a team mate a gap but not one of the opposition.
“The Cape and KZN teams also look strong, but I expect the Joburg guys to have the edge and we expect to keep the title,” he says confidently.
Another coming event he is looking forward to is the 28 horse Grand Heritage at the Vaal in September.
He won the first two runnings in 2016 and 2017 before the race was split into two last year due to problems with the Vaal track.
“I haven’t decided what I am going to ride yet, but as I am undefeated in races with 28 runners, I intend to choose carefully,” he says with a laugh.
And the 2019-20 season may well be Gavin’s.
“I intend to make a bid for the championship.
“I’ll concentrate on Joburg, but will obviously be prepared to travel if the rides are good enough.”