The very tight inner city Happy Valley track has been the nemesis of many a visiting international jockey. Unlike the Sha Tin track, which is perfectly suited to a European style of racing, Happy Valley demands that jockeys bounce their mounts out as fast as possible and go hell for leather to the finish. Something that most visiting jockeys find hard to adapt to, writes Liesl King.
Gavin and proud Dad Tex – also a top jock in his day – in this file pic
Gavin Lerena though, had no such problems and won the Longines International Jockey Championship in style.
Given a ride in the first by Tony Millard, Lerena showed that he is well equipped to race with the best of the locals, steering his mount Medic Swordsman into third, 0.75 lengths behind the winner and demoting fellow countryman and local hero Douglas Whyte to fourth.
Lerena went on as he had started and when he was legged up on Mr Right, number 8 and drawn 8, he certainly had all the Chinese luck on his side. Lerena stormed home and just got Mr Right up on the line, beating ST Yazin and Maxime Guyon into second.
His ride in the fourth and last leg, Superoi was considered his best and the Derek Cruz trained gelding showed just why. Urged to challenge the lead down the home straight by Lerena, he stormed home, winning comfortably by 0.75 lengths, with Lerena celebrating in true HK style.
That was enough to capture the Longines Hong Kong International Championship, with Lerena receiving the magnificent trophy and a cheque worth HK$500,000, roughly R1 million.
The boy has come a long way!
Lerena thanked Tony Millard who gave him the ride in the first enabling him to get used to the track. “It’s a very fair track and I had a great time. Thank you Hong Kong”, he said. “It is fantastic to be able to ride with such great jockeys”, he added.
When asked if he would consider following the likes of Dougie Whyte and Karis Teetan and ride in Hong Kong, Lerena said that he would certainly consider it if the opportunity arose.
“It’s a fantastic track, with a great atmosphere and it was my dream to ride here. To win the Challenge was just amazing! Two lucky eights, so I guess eight is now my lucky number too.”
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