Gavin Lerena the man to be with at the Vaal

Jockey Gavin Lerena has a strong book of rides at the Vaal Classic course on Tuesday and looks likely to be a major factor in the Pick 6.

The former champion could quite conceivably close out the day with a treble.

In Race 8, the lucky last, he teams up with Say When, who rates the best bet on the card. Trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren, the three-year-old filly romped to a 9.25-length victory last time out – over the same 1450m distance as this race, albeit at Turffontein.

That was Say When’s fourth career outing, after having recorded three runner-up performances when greenness was a factor. Lerena has been in the saddle throughout, so knows all about motivating the daughter of Silvano. Pole position draw should clinch the deal.

In Race 7, Lerena does duty for trainer Paul Peter aboard Way Of The World, another runner coming off a commanding victory.

The four-year-old filly has five wins from 18 starts and Lerena has been on top for four of them. She has won over this course and 1450m trip and a 73-day racing hiatus is the only minor negative in her case.

Lerena’s next best chance on the day is probably in the sixth on Waqaas.

This is not an easy race to assess, but Fabian Habib’s tough, honest Australian import is not the worst option for puzzled punters. The gelding had plenty of excuses when being narrowly beaten last time out and can make amends from a handy No 3 gate at the 1600m start.

Lerena could even get into the winner’s box earlier in the day with Destinys Game in Race 3, a strong pinnacle stakes contest in which Ballet Shoes, Jet Start and Shivers all have a shout.

SELECTIONS

Race 1:

1 Raisetheredlantern, 3 Just As Ric, 4 Ace Of Spades, 5 Wisden

Race 2:

9 Magic Choice, 2 Dalgety Bay, 1 Country Mile, 5 Sky Kingdom

Race 3:

2 Ballet Shoes, 6 Destinys Game, 1 Jet Start, 3 Shivers

Race 4:

9 Diamonds N Dollars, 8 Danceaboutthesun, 10 Just Judy, 6 Amberglo Star

Race 5:

1 Riccardo, 2 Mcebisi, 4 Jackhammer, 3 Eskimo Pie

Race 6:

5 Waqaas, 4 FSquadron, 1 River Jordan, 6 Romeo’s Magic

Race 7:

2 Way Of The World, 6 Flaming Duchess, 1 Kayla’s Champ, 4 Ululate

Race 8:

5 Say When, 7 Louvain, 2 Me Time, 9 Readysetglo

Pick 6:

1,2,3,6 x 9 x 1,2,3,4,7 x 1,2,4,5,6 x 1,2,4,6 x 5 (R400)

PA:

1,2,5,9 x 2,6 x 9 x 1,2 x 1,4,5 x 2 x 5 (R48)

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