Latest news with #GavinLerena
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Time to boost Gold Cup coffers
Gavin Lerena is still a man on a mission. Jockey Gavin Lerena partners four or five favourites on the eight-race card at Scottsville on Wednesday. Picture: Yolanda Saayman/Gallo Images Horse players are building up funds for this weekend's action in Durban, which hosts the last major meeting of the 2024/25 season and a last chance – for a few months – to bet on high-quality gallopers. Five fixtures before Sunday's Gold Cup meeting at Greyville offer opportunities to boost the coffers, though caution should be exercised. Remember: Betway's Insurebet is a great option in case your selection is beaten into second or third place. Action at Scottsville At Scottsville on Wednesday the exotic bet races look tricky. However, there's a decent wager in Race 1 in the shape of Dean Kannemeyer-trained Tulip Fields (1.90 the Win). This two-year-old filly will be ridden by Gavin Lerena, who has the national jockey championship sewn up but who is still riding with determination. Lerena partners four or five favourites on the eight-race card and he must be included in all permutations. A popular win for Lerena would be aboard Mfethu in Race 2 – for the country's newest trainer, Vengi Masawi, whose supporting owner Hollywood will be keen to get his career off to a flying start. Mfethu was at 2.60 in the ante-post market – 1.90 on Insurebet 2 and 1.40 on Insurebet 3. Terminator in Race 5 deserves a change of luck and might get it at 5.00 for the win. Other race meetings On Thursday at the Vaal, Lerena again dominates the conversation. The best bet comes in Race 8, in which the jockey does duty for Fanie Bronkhorst aboard Red Amber (1.33). Trainer Robyn Klaasen could have a productive day with Johnny Drama in Race 2 and Copper Eagle in the third. Fairview on a Friday is always a prospect for bigger payouts. As usual down that way, reigning champion jockey Richard Fourie holds a strong hand, with his best being Mr Fox in Race 3. The brilliantly pedigreed Beach Queen in Race 2 looks well overdue a win, while value is offered by Alado's Pride in Race 4 and New Mexico in Race 8. These Betway odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
New Paper
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
July 17 South Africa (Turffontein) form guide
Race 1 (1,200m) With Gavin Lerena sticking with last-start winner (3) PRETTY PERSUASIVE instead of (1) ALPINE JET, the riding arrangements suggest the former is preferred. (2) LET'S GO LOLA and (4) SPIRITRIX are closely matched on form, and both have shown enough to acquit themselves competitively in this line-up. Race 2 (1,200m) (3) TOP DIVISION justified strong market support when winning on debut and with natural improvement, he may well remain unbeaten. (1) GOT THE FEELING has the form and experience to threaten the selection. (4) ALPHA WORLD and (7) SECOND TO NUNN are likely to improve after pleasing introductions. Race 3 (1,450m) (4) FRERE JACQUES performed above market expectations on debut when a fast-finishing second over 1,200m. He has not been sighted around the track for a while but would have strengthened and improved during his subsequent absence, so a forward showing is expected. Youngster (8) SAFE TRAVEL is bred to appreciate this extended trip and will not need to improve much after back-to-back thirds over 1,000m to play a leading role. (1) SEVENTH FLEET has shown enough to make his presence felt too. Watch the betting on newcomer (6) LUWAK. Race 4 (1,450m) (1) WINDS OF GRACE was second over track and trip last time and needs to only produce a similar performance to fight for victory. Youngster (12) WISE COUNSEL fits a similar profile but should improve for the step-up to this distance. Improving (2) RENDEVOUS IN RIO also filled the runner-up berth recently but has to overcome a wide draw. (11) WINTER WEDDING did not go unnoticed on debut over 1,160m and could also be competitive over this extended trip with that experience to count on. Race 5 (1,800m) This will not take much winning and (10) HOPSCOTCH, despite a wide draw in 10, is good value to open her account over a distance more to her liking. Sparingly raced (2) MATTIAZO is open to improvement but is held by the selection on recent form. (3) BELLA BOOP BOOP and (1) FLIGHTLIGHT appeal most of the remainder. Race 6 (1,800m) (3) HEROIC ACT, (5) ROYAL MIRACLE and (1) MIZZEN SWORD are experienced maidens with fair recent form and they should be competitive, though they are vulnerable to less-exposed rival (10) SERGEANT SOQRAT who could improve stretching out to this distance. Race 7 (1,000m) (2) CAPTAIN EFFICIENT is overdue for a second career victory. Improving last-start winner (1) MISTY METAL carries a big weight on her handicap debut but has more scope than her rivals. Class-droppers (4) LONELY AS A CLOUD and (3) PRINCESS LOLA are respected off reduced marks. Race 8 (1,600m) (7) KISSHOTEN has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and could represent the value in this race over this trip after an eye-catching last start over shorter. Fellow last-start winner (6) IT'S HER WAY is up in class and carries a six-point penalty, so she will be tested off her career-high mark. (2) MISS HANNIGAN beat (1) FRANCINE and (3) QUEEN OF LOVE recently over 1,400m but are better off at the weights and there should not be much between the trio on these revised terms over the extra 200m. Race 9 (1,600m) (1) AZALEAS FOR ALL showed her form and well-being when winning for the second time in her last three starts on the Polytrack in KZN over 2,000m last month. A resultant three-point penalty seems rather lenient and, even under top-weight 60kg, she is good value to continue her hot streak. Fellow last-start winner (4) ANNEWITHAN E fits a similar profile and should remain competitive off a career-high mark. (2) STREISAND and (6) PRETTY ANALIA (unbeaten over the course and distance) are consistent hard-knockers with the form and experience to make their presence felt.
New Paper
04-06-2025
- General
- New Paper
June 5 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m) 8) TOP DIVISION might well be good enough to win on debut. Jockey Gavin Lerena is carded to ride him, so he should be fit and ready for this. (9) MASTER'S LADY ran well on debut but she was at a huge price, which indicates a surprise run from her. (5) BUMPS LAST GRIND changed trainers since some fair runs at Fairview and could be a threat. (1) ALESIAN BEAU has been unreliable but is capable of contesting the finish. Race 2 (1,000m) (7) HAWKSDALE showed promise on her debut in May. Will have more to offer. (1) SUMMER WINTER has shown improvement of late and should fight out the finish. (8) HURRICANE POWER was not disgraced on debut and should show vast improvement. (4) BILINGUAL is consistent and is clearly not out of it. Race 3 (1,450m) (10) WAITING ON CHARLIE looks likely to step up on what she has shown. She has needed her last two runs and looks set for a big performance. (3) MISS TAKES is drawn wide but is not out of it. (4) TRIP TO STATES is battling to win a race but could play a minor role. (6) SASHA LEE can contest the finish again. Race 4 (2,600m) (2) DOUGLAS DRAGON is improving and could have the run of the race from a good draw. (1) TO THE RESCUE is not an easy ride but is quite capable of winning a race like this. (6) MO MENT is much improved and could make all the running in this small field. (7) IDEAL FUTURE is also capable of getting involved. Race 5 (2,000m) (3) LADY NOIR showed what she is capable of with an easy win last time and could have more wins in her tank. (1) TEO TORRIATTE does not always show her best but she has a chance to win a race like this. (2) PATCHES OF GREY has been fair of late and can be very competitive in this line-up. (6) SILVER FLARE did not show her best last time but could surprise. Race 6 (1,600m) (1) KUDZU has to give weight to all his rivals but he has been good of late and is well drawn. (2) ESPINOZA is unbeaten in two starts since being gelded and has been winning his races with authority. (12) OBSIDIAN is improving and should be right there at the finish. (13) SUPER AWESOME is holding form and has a winning chance. Race 7 (1,600m) (1) LADY SABRINA returned from a break in good shape and can go one better this time. (4) UNSOLVED RIDDLE has improved for trainer Grant Maroun and could double up on a good last win. (6) FLAG BEARER is not reliable but is also not out of it. (7) LIBECCIO is unreliable but could contest the finish. Race 8 (1,600m) (2) GREGARIOUS returned from a break in fine form and was an impressive winner. She could have a lot more wins in her. (6) WARNING SOUND was no match for Gregarious last time but can turn the tables if she gets a clear run. (4) FUTURE DATE is consistent but might need this run returning from a break. (3) PLAY WITH FIRE is in good form and has drawn well. Race 9 (1,000m) (8) CAPTAIN SELVIE might prove a bit better than these rivals. She has not done much wrong. (5) LONELY AS A CLOUD has some fair form and should be competitive in this line-up. (3) PHANTOM EXPRESS is well drawn and should fight out the finish. (7) INAFIX remains in good shape and is another to consider.
