After drifting in the betting, South Africa’s joint top-rated galloper Main Defender (131) was beaten by the Robbie Sage trained Unzen, who gave the rampant Gavin Lerena his fourth winner of the afternoon at the final Turffontein racemeeting of the season on Saturday.
Having his final start as a 3yo after a below par run in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge last time out, Main Defender, who drifted from 5-10 to 18-10, was partnered for the first time by Muzi Yeni, who had the son of Pathfork tracking Swing Upon A Star and the seemingly overracing Unzen (2-1) for much of the 1400m in the R120 000 Pinnacle Stakes.
Gavin Lerena has it under control on Unzen, as Muzi Yeni and Main Defender chase (Pic – JC Photos)
Into the run for home, Unzen (rated 109 and in receipt of 8 kgs) moved into the lead under Lerena and always had the edge over Main Defender, who was given every chance by Muzi Yeni.
At the line Unzen held a 1,40 length advantage in a time of 84,33 secs.
Main Defender looked a picture but failed to produce a kick, and grabbed second 3,10 lengths ahead of The Africa House (11-2), who momentarily ranged up dangerously, but failed to reach the leaders.
Bred by the Tawny Syndicate, Unzen is a son of Erupt (Dubawi) out of the once winning Toreador mare, Adelia.
He went through the November 2yo Sale ring for R230 000 and took his earnings to R886 625 with his fifth win and six places from 18 starts.
Candice Dawson and Johan Janse van Vuuren shared the training honours with a double apiece.
Trainer Sean Tarry enjoyed two places, but with minimal impact on his bid to rein in Justin Snaith on the SA Champion Trainer log. Sunday looks to be a gamechanger!
The Turffontein card provided some competitive racing, and it was good to see Lyall Cooper back behind the on-course mic, together with Cecil Mthembu.
But with less than 70 runners in 9 races, it wasn’t exactly overall exciting stuff.
The Vaal hosts the final 4Racing fixture of the season on Tuesday 30 July. 80 runners are carded over the nine races.
