Gavin Lerena rounded off a Charity Mile feature double when timing his run to perfection on the Silvano mare Sylvan On Fire in the R250 000 Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap.
Gavin Lerena has his eye on the prize as Sylvan On Fire soars to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
Lerena has been in prime form since returning from an extended injury break last month and maintained his win strike-rate at a healthy 23% on a tough day at the office for punters. With R2,4 million carried over in the Pick 6, the form book was lying in tatters as the sun set on Turffontein.
The former SA champion had Sylvan On Fire relaxed from her wide draw as Being Fabulous and Insignis looked dangerous in the dash for home.
With Sylvan On Fire struggling to kick, Lerena was seen at his best as he built his mount up and kept her balanced as Being Fabulous became tight between the eventual winner and the consistent Insignis.
With a perfectly timed run, Sylvan On Fire maintained her effort to the line to withstand an eyecatching late effort from Cold Cash by a quarter length in a time of 110,25 secs.
Being Fabulous stayed on well for third a further 1,40 lengths back.
Trained by Candice Dawson, Sylvan On Fire races in the pink and white flag of her breeder Vanessa Harrison.
She is a daughter of Silvano (Lomitas) out of the four-time winner Jet Flyer (Jet Master).
She has won 5 races with 4 places from 12 starts and stakes of R502 875.
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Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 3, R250k, 1800m, turf, good, 1.50.25
1 – SYLVAN ON FIRE (SAF), 56.0, ch m 5, Silvano (GER) – Jet Flyer (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF). Owner Mrs Vanessa Harrison; Breeder V Harrison; trainer C Dawson; jockey G Lerena
2 – Cold Cash (SAF), 52.0, ch m 6, Bankable (IRE) – Frost Fairy (SAF) by Linney Head (USA)
3 – Being Fabulous (AUS), 55.0, b m 5, High Chaparral (IRE) – Dashing Eagle (AUS) by Danehill (USA)
Margins: 0.25, 1.40, 0.50
