Garrix holds on in a thrilling finish to the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Gavin Lerena won all three Feature races at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday and for three different stables. To quote commentator Alistair Cohen, Garrix had to “stretch every sinew in his body” to scramble home in the R350 000 1800m Grade 3 Legal Eagles Stakes, a nose ahead of the pacesetting 75/1 chance Otto Luyken, with the fastest finisher Mucho Dinero (25/1) a short-head away in third spot.
Garrix attracted solid on-course betting support, shortening from 16/10 to start at 9/10 but his legion of supporters were kept on the edge of their seats as Garrix made heavy weather of putting the race to bed. Otto Luyken stuck to his task well and it was only in the very last stride that Garrix put his nose in front, although Mucho Dinero would have swept past them both had the race been a few metres further. Garrix, a smart 3yo son of Vercingetorix, is trained by Piet Steyn and the gelding has now won the first two legs of the Winter Series and will hopefully be seen in the final leg, the Grade 3 Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m on 25 May.
The One World colt, Dreamworld, bred by the Avontuur Stud, smashed a quality field of juveniles in the R300 000 Grade 3 Winter Nursery over 1100m. Gavin Lerena wasted no time in taking the initiative, forcing the early pace, and going quicker than his market rival North Point. Impressively, Dreamworld found another gear when Absolutely Yes and All The Rage loomed large, and the Vaughan Marshall-trained galloper went on to score decisively.
Absolutely Yes, having his first run as a gelding, ran on strongly from just off the pace and the son of Danon Platina will appreciate a stiffer test of stamina going forward. Although beaten into third spot, Aldo Domeyer was upbeat regarding the future of All The Rage and the son of Rafeef is another who looks to have a bright future. North Point was given every chance but failed to quicken over the final 200m and was edged out of the frame by the consistent Orbit.
Gavin Lerena was again seen at his superb best when driving Time For Love home in the R200 000 Ladies Mile over 1600m. Time For Love, winner of the Ladies Mile last year but without a victory since, sat in the box seat as Callmegetrix ensured a decent pace and the 5yo daughter of Time Thief had to dig deep to get the job done. Callmegetrix was brave in defeat and was only half-a-length in arrears at the line with Gimmethatpearl, Fun Zone, Kinda Winderful and Gold Poker Game all within a length of Time For Love in a blanket finish. Beware The Bomb having her first start since December never settled in running but was not disgraced, beaten little more than a length, and the impressive looking 3yo Lancaster Bomber could make amends in the near future.
Earlier in the day, Richard Fourie won three of the first four races, booting home She’s My World (11/10) in the opener, Jet A One (18/10) in the third race and Dumbledore (12/1) in the first leg of the Pick 6. Ironically, he was beaten in the second race on the afternoon’s shortest-priced favourite, Claire De Lune (4/10), who ran on powerfully but failed to reach the Andre Nel-trained Rikkitikkitavi (14/1) who skipped clear approaching the final 200m. Certainly, Rikkitikkitavi was not winning out of turn as she showed useful promise when a close fourth on debut and the 3yo daughter of Querari should make her mark beyond the maiden ranks.
