The Ascot Stud-bred The United States mare United Council successfully defended her Sun Chariot Handicap title at Turffontein on the Day of Reconciliation public holiday, having not won in between the two races.
Gavin Lerena guides United Council to a successful defence of her Sun Chariot Handicap title (Pic – JC Photos)
Robbie Sage trains the consistent mare for longstanding owner Colin Bird and Gavin Lerena laid down the gauntlet halfway up the straight after topweight Explosive Bond led briefly in the R150 000 non-black type contest.
Never looking like getting caught, United Council (9-2) stayed on stoutly to register a time of 153,96 secs for the Turffontein 2400m standside track.
The year younger One Religion (18-10) looked dangerous at around the 250m, but was well beaten 4,75 lengths back, with Explosive Bond (15-10) feeling her weight impost and petering out to run a further 2,25 lengths back in fourth.
The winner was bred by Ascot Stud and is a daughter of Moutonshoek’s Galileo stallion The United States out of the twice-winning Danehill Dancer mare, Unconditional.
A winner of 4 races with 6 places from 20 starts for stakes of R406 000, United Council was a R270 000 BSA National 2yo Sale graduate.
It is worth noting that Gavin Lerena is riding with great confidence, this being his 90th winner of the term at a win strike-rate of 25,79%. He leads the national log with a good seven and a half months left of the season.
