Former SA Champion jockey Gavin Lerena has only been back in the saddle a matter of weeks since an extended absence through injury.
But he is riding at the top of his game and his initiative in grabbing the R150 000 Heritage 1200 at Turffontein on Saturday by the scruff of the neck at the 300m won the race for Roy Magner’s Prince Of Kahal.
Prince Of Kahal storms home under Gavin Lerena to beat Just As I Said (Pic – JC photos)
Confidence is a jockey’s major asset and with a 40% win strike-rate for the season, Lerena grabbed four winners on the afternoon, including this inspired ride on Prince Of Kahal.
Relaxed just off the gallop set by Winter’s Forge and Just As I Said, Prince Of Kahal made it two wins on the trot when he pounced mid-straight.
The 4yo gelding stayed on strongly to hold off the game Just As I Said by a half length in a time of 70,20 secs.
A winner of 4 races with 6 places from 17 starts in the interests of Hong Kong-based Robert Chung, Prince Of Kahal was a R120 000 KZN Yearling Sale graduate. A product of Clifton Stud, he is a son of the ill-fated Kahal (Machiavellian) out of the top class winner producing Vogue – a five time winning daughter of champion Model Man.
