Another raceday and another fascinating duel between Gavin Lerena and Muzi Yeni! After Thursday’s Main Defender knockout at the Vaal, it went Lerena’s way this time round when the classy Canford Cliffs filly Almond Sea asserted her authority to win the R225 000 Betway Listed Swallow Stakes
Almond Sea gives Gavin Lerena his double for the day (Pic – JC Photos)
The debate over the cancellation by 4Racing of the third race due to reduced numbers threatened to overshadow the feature on the seven race card, but after a fascinating tussle into the final stages, with the lesser fancied Poblano (25-2) digging deep, it was Almond Sea (7-10) who grabbed the public attention and got the upper hand to win the 1160m contest by 0,30 lengths in a time of 68,43 secs and give Lerena a double on the afternoon.
In contrast to her earlier aggressive racing style, Gavin Lerena had the smart 3yo relaxed last of the seven runners, before producing her late.
Bred by Black Swan boss Peter de Beyer, who will enjoy the timing of the victory as he offers the ‘magnificent’ full brother as lot 60 on Thursday’s CRS Summer Sale, Almond Sea is a daughter of the red hot Ridgemont star Canford Cliffs (Tagula) out of the Dupont mare Sylvie, who won once in the De Beyer silks.
Raced by Johnny Peter’s Hyperpaint Syndicate, Almond Sea has now won 5 races with 3 places from 8 starts for stakes R556 750.
Sean Tarry and Piere Strydom enjoyed a double on the day, while Mike de Kock saddled a double.
