Bouclette Top (Gavin Lerena) storms home to win the topliner (Pic: JC Photos)
Trainer Alec Laird turned the heat up on his Summer Cup aspirations and recorded his second consecutive R1 million Gr2 Charity Mile success, when the Argentinian-bred gelding Bouclette Top produced an electrifying turn of foot under champion Gavin Lerena to win the topliner at Turffontein on Saturday.
Laird won the race last year with Bezanova, when Bouclette Top ran fifth. But the 5yo gelding turned the tables on Saturday and showed that he could well be more effective running from off the pace – as opposed to his customary role out front.
With the field jumping keenly, and only Halve The Deficit ruining his start, Lerena was obliged to change his instructions at the jump as those on his inside were out quickly and the pace was on from the outset, with M L Jet and Deputy Jud showing the way.
Bouclette Top found himself just forward of midfield and about eight lengths off the leaders as they spun for home.
M L Jet was troubled briefly by Bold Inspiration as Deputy Jud faded out, but the focus was on Bouclette Top as he swooped and galloped strongly.
Gavin Lerena – well judged tactical win
Lerena had the Laird charge in full flight at the 250m marker and he came from some lengths back under an inspired ride out wide by the SA champion jockey to win going away by 2,25 lengths in a time of 97,07 secs.
The revitalised M L Jet stayed on doggedly to run a creditable second, while the handily weighted Mitraad outshone his stablemate Toro Rosso, by flying up late to deny Mac De Lago a third cheque.
The winner’s stablemate and 2014 victor Bezanova was not disgraced and ran fifth, and 3,85 lengths off.
Sean Tarry’s French Navy finished a head behind him and ran a cracker after a break and from his wide draw- watch him in the Summer Cup!
The 5-2 favourite Toro Rosso, who, with the winner, was one of two Wilgerbosdrift runners in the race, moved up menacingly on the inside but failed to kick on.
Supreme Cup winner Deputy Jud jumped from a wide draw, but after showing pace he faded right out to finish last.
The Advanced Fire Systems sponsored Gavin Lerena said that everything had played into his hands as he had a couple to lead and the pace was on.
Lerena will be generously donating R1000 for every group race winning ride to the Horse Care Unit in the area of the relevant win, and the Highveld HCU will be pleased to have benefitted here.
Top trainer – Alec Laird made it a Charity Mile double
Trainer Alec Laird was all smiles and confirmed that Bouclette Top was an ‘honest and super little horse’.
“He was always thereabouts in the classics. We were going to go handy – it didn’t exactly work out like that, but things panned out well,” he said.
When asked if he had initiated the idea to drop his charge out in the event of a pace, Laird responded:”You can’t train them and ride them!”
Bred in Argentina by Firmamento, Bouclette Top is a 5yo gelded son of Storm Cat stallion, Giant’s Causeway, out of the four time winning Gr1 winning Honour And Glory mare, Bouclette Glory.
He has won 5 races with 10 places from his 22 starts with stakes earnings of R1 503 000.
Now roll on the Sansui Summer Cup!
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Gr2 Charity Mile (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, October 31, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.37.07
1 – BOUCLETTE TOP (ARG), 58.0, br g 5, Giant’s Causeway (USA) – Bouclette Glory (ARG) by Honour And Glory (USA). Owner Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack); Breeder bred in Argentina; trainer AG Laird; jockey G Lerena
2 – M L Jet (SAF), 54.0, b g 4, Jet Master (SAF) – Subyan Dreams (GB) by Spectrum (IRE)
3 – Mitraad (AUS), 52.0, br g 4, Northern Meteor (AUS) – Fondle (NZ) by O’reilly (NZ)
Margins: 2.25, 0.50, 0.10
