A projected R5 million Pick 6 pool adds plenty of interest to Saturday’s R1 million Allied Steelrode – Onamission Gr2 Charity Mile, which is to be run on the Turffontein Standside.
The card includes five undercard features on a bumper programme that runs parallel with the Cape’s own multiple feature return to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
The scratching of Melech has seen Mike de Kock’s first reserve Zinovi get a run and Serino Moodley rides the son of Heavenly Blue.
Gavin Lerena goes for three on the trot (Pic – JC Photos)
Gavin Lerena, who partners the awkwardly drawn Barbaresco for the Janse van Vuuren yard, has been in great form of late and is only 11 winners behind national log-leader Muzi Yeni.
Lerena’s win strike-rate of 28.6% outstrips that of any of his colleagues and he will be bidding for his fifth Charity Mile in ten renewals, having won the race in 2016 on New Predator, in 2017 on Hat Puntano, and then the last two renewals on Bingwa (2022) and Puerto Manzano (2023).
That means he is on a hat-trick for the Janse van Vuuren yard.
Muzi Yeni and Back In Business – major contenders for the big cheque (Pic – JC Photos)
National log-leader Muzi Yeni was winning a Grade 1 at Kranji in Singapore when Rachel Venniker steered Joey Soma’s Back In Business to victory in the Betway Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge.
Only rated 114, he looks like a fellow a few strides ahead of the handicapper at this stage as his MR adjustment was capped in that last feature victory.
While he is widely drawn at 17, he does get 7kgs from topweight Dave The King in his first try at a mile. He has little mileage on the clock and would not be winning out of turn.
Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King will carry topweight of 63kg with his trainer Mike de Kock indicating that this is a prep run for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 4 January.
Rafeef’s daughter Frances Ethel caught the eye in a strongly contested Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m last time when running on well for second and she should have come on from that run.
Celtic Rumours won the Betway Jo’Burg Spring Fillies And Mares Challenge beating the talented three-year-old Fiery Pegasus giving the latter 8kg and she could have a say in the finish, albeit from a tricky draw of 10 as it stands.
Brett Crawford’s Winchester Mansion will have a mountain to climb after his disappointing last run. Marco van Rensburg takes over from Piere Strydom.
Summerveld trainers Stuart Ferrie (Gladatorian) and Peter Muscutt (Quasiforsure) add interest with their raiders, who could challenge for minor money if overcoming their draws.
The Pick 6 enjoys a tricky start in the fourth race (13h50), the Listed Golden Loom Handicap.
