Favourite punters finally had something to smile about as the Sean Tarry Racing machine continued their winning streak at Turffontein on Saturday, with the progressive Greys Inn colt Litigation scoring a decisive victory in the R175 000 Listed Derby Trial.
In similar fashion to his Gr1-winning stablemate in the Drum Star a half hour earlier, Litigation was allowed to stalk the pacemaking Tabebuia for much of the 2000m trip.
Litigation and Gavin Lerena are on their own at the finish of the Derby Trial (Pic – JC Photos)
Riding a supremely confident race, Gavin Lerena moved him forward at the 300m and it was race over.
Litigation (2-1) went on strongly to beat Tabebuia (4-1) by 3,50 lengths in a time of 125,42 secs.
In typically self-deprecating fashion, Gavin Lerena labelled himself a ‘blind chicken who actually found his mielie’. That was clearly in a reference to the fact that the top jockey had been banking place cheques, but had last ridden a winner on 1 March.
“We always thought he would stay the 2000m. I didn’t want to wait too long as he could become flat-footed. And when we moved up he did look around. But he really won so well,” said the former SA Champion Jockey.
Form trainer Sean Tarry said that it was tempting to go for the SA Classic but added that it may now not be that easy to stay out of the SA Derby!
Bred by Avontuur, Litigation is a son of Durban July winner Greys Inn (Zabeel) out of the thrice winning Jet Master mare, Jeter.
Raced by Laurence and Jaryd Wernars, Harry Wilson and Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh, Litigation was sold privately during the covid-19 reshuffle of the 2020 National Yearling Sale in a transaction brokered by Justin Vermaak.
Litigation heads into the SA Derby on 2 April with an impressive record of 4 victories with 3 places from 9 starts, and stakes of R351 250.
