JACK MILNER: AS the race for the Klawervlei Jockeys’ Championship comes down to the wire Kimberley spectators are in for a rare treat as both Anton Marcus and Gavin Lerena will be riding at Flamingo Park on Monday.
On paper Marcus appears to have the better rides but Lerena has some fair chances as well. In Race 1 Marcus rides Summer Loving. This filly has recently changed trainers but if she can bring her turf form to this sand surface, she will be the one to beat. Lerena is on stable companion Sexy Star who has been battling at Flamingo Park and is unlikely to win, so Round 1 could go the way of Marcus.
Marcus also looks to have the edge in Race 2 as his mount, Royal Rajah, has run some fair races on the turf and trainer Corne Spies usually does well at this track. Lerena on the other hand will have to be at his very best to get Sports Kitten into the No 1 box.
Trainer Bill Human has put Marcus on Seriously Speaking and Lerena on Rockabilly in Race 3 and over this distance not much separates them so it should be an interesting race.
Marcus is aboard Bold Al in Race 4 and looks to have the better horse, as long as this former Gavin van Zyl inmate takes to the sand. However, Masterpiece, who will run for Lerena, has the advantage of having run some fair races here.
Suvretta House, with Lerena aboard, was an easy winner of a Maiden Plate last time but it was against modest company. In contrast Lemon Meringue (Marcus) makes her course debut but Cape Town trainer Paul Reeves knows how to get them to win at this course.
Marcus’ mount in Race 6, Metro Man, jumps from pole position so should get the run of the race, but Storm Thunder under Lerena, probably has the better form and looks to be his best ride of the day.
Pebble Rock (Marcus) and Rover T (Lerena) both look moderate but Rover T will have to jump from draw No 15 so has it all to do.
Lerena has the edge in Race 8 as Marcus does not have a ride. Lerena is on ultra-consistent London’s Vault who might only his two stable companions – Airani and King’s Glory – to beat.
Pick A Pocket (Lerena) overcame a wide draw to win her latest outing but will need to do so again and this shorter trip will make it even harder for her to get across. However, she has won her last two outings and is in good form. Allagain (Marcus) tries the sand but has arrived from Port Elizabeth with moderate form.
