Main Defender is down on his off fetlock after the nasty collision (JC Photos)
The Roy Magner-trained Melech lowered the colours of the crack Paul Peter-trained gelding Main Defender over 1200m at Turffontein Inside today, but not before the latter had crashed in to him when shifting away from the whip in the last few strides.
It was only the second defeat of Main Defender’s career and there was a horrible moment when he appeared to stumble badly just before the line.
The instant thought that goes through experienced racegoers’ minds when they see that is that the horse has broken down, so viewers would have been relieved to see him right himself and finish on all four legs.
The incident did cost him second place though.
The head on replay then told the story of what had happened.
Main Defender had hit the front early but was not traveling as supremely as he has been seen to in the past when winning over 1400m.
He looked vulnerable to a closer and the classy Melech, who was carrying the same 58kg weight as his year younger rival, then began to run on strongly.
Melech was traveling the better and looked likely to overtake Main Defender.
They were a few horse widths apart.
However, as Melech began rangimg up on the inside Calvin Habib changed whip hands. He gave Main Defender a crack and then began showing him the whip while driving him rhythmically.
Main Defender consequently shifted and began running at an angle away from the whip. He was clearly on a collision course with Melech, who was on a straight path.
However, Main Defender continued to be ridden.
Gavin Lerena held his line on Melech and was cracking him with the right hand.
He was about to give another crack when Main Defender crashed in to the side of Melech so hard that Melech’s front legs were knocked from underneath him.
Melech is a real athelete and planted his front legs at the right angle to right himself.
Main Defender felt the full force of the collision, because Melech was travelling stronger than him.
He was knocked sideways and became mometarily airborne. His knees and fetlocks buckled as he landed. A photograph later shows he is right down on his off fetlock.
Lerena appeared to have some harsh words for Habib the split second after the incident and also in the pull up.
He had said after the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes that Main Defender had almost stuck him and Barbaresco over the rail just before and after the line.
Main Defender had hung right on that occasion despite Habib’s whip being in the right hand.
Pundits will be wondering whether this is now becoming a habit and, if it is, whether it indicates a problem with the horse.
However, Gavin did not see it like that.
He said in the winning interview when asked by Cecil Mthembu about the incident, “Just unnecessary. My horse is making up good ground. I thought I was going to go away and win it comfortably … Calvin changed his stick and rode for me. My horse took a horrible stride. I don’t know about his horse, but my horse stopped very quickly after the line. I just hope he has pulled up well.”
CLICK HERE TO WATH THE RACE REPLAY
It was actaully the first time Gavin had ridden the classy four-year-old William Lonsword gelding, despite his long association with the Magner yard.
He grinned sheepishly and admitted, “Yes this horse and I have got a lot of history! I was meant to ride him first time out and I had to ride a horse for Johan (Janse van Vuuren) that actually won the race and Mr Magner ran second and he was very upset! We actually parted ways for a bit, so it is great to get on this horse and win on him.”
He said he had been worried about the distance being too sharp, but added, “But he’s a good horse and good horses, you can bring them back in trip and they will give their best, it was a great win from him.”
The Riverton Stud-bred four-year-old has now won six out of ten for deserving owner John Finlayson.
Meanwhile, it is not clear why Main Defender missed the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas or why he ran over this sprint trip under two weeks later.
His many fans around the country will be hoping he pulls up well after that nasty incident.
