Gavin Lerena clinches his treble on Max The Magician, a fine return for just six rides on the day. (JC Photos)
Gavin Lerena appears to have lost his position as first call rider to Johan Janse van Vuuren.
However, that did not stop him riding a treble at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and outdoing the man who replaced him on Van Vuuren’s horses, Keagan de Melo.
The split appears to be between trainer and jockey and not owner and jockey because Lerena did ride for Van Vuuren’s chief client Laurence Wernars on the day, albeit on a Candice Dawson-trained horse.
De Melo was Van Vuuren’s chief rider before departing for Hong Kong.
This De Melo/Van Vuuren partnership started off Saturday well when the Laurence Wernars-homebred by Gimmthegreenlight, Bakwena, cruised in by six lengths on debut in a Maiden over 1000m. This promising filly is a half-sister to the Gr 2 winner Divine Odyssey (Oratorio) and to the promising Rise As One (Duke Of Marmalade).
Lerena won the third race on the Fabian Habib-trained odds on favourite Confederate. This big-actioned colt by Fire Away enjoyed the step up to 1400m and after leading from the off he drew away from the De Melo-ridden challenger High Queue in the straight to win as he liked. The Paul Matchett-trained Towers Of Gold could be one to follow too as he ran on well to beat High Queue for second place, although he was beaten 2,75 lengths by Confederate.
Lerena’s next ride was in the fifth and once again he got the better of De Melo. He was aboard the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Ideal World gelding Mount Darwin and relaxed himm beautifully in last place. He moved up well in the straight and fended off the Johan Janse Vuuren-trained De Melo-ridden 13/10 favourite Strewn Sky to win by 1,50 lengths.
Lerena’s final winner was on the Roy Magner-trained What A Winter gelding Max The Magician. He also brought this one from last place in the 1400m contest and his strong finish took care of Bob’s Your Uncle and the De Melo-ridden favourite Brave Viking, beating them by a length and 1,80 lengths respectively.
Lerena has seven rides at the Turffontein Inside meeting on Thursday and De Melo has five rides, three of them for Janse van Vuuren.
