South African star Gavin Lerena raring to go on British bow
Tuesday 16 May 2017 14:53, UK
South African jockey Gavin Lerena has the first ride of what he hopes will be a fruitful spell in Britain at Bath on Wednesday.
Lerena, who rode a double at the Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot in the summer, has come over principally to ride horses for Chelsea Thoroughbreds and will be based with Charlie Hills.
It is for Hills he gets his sojourn under way, on Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Mudajaj in the British EBF Maiden Stakes.
"At the moment I'll be here for three months and if it all goes well I'd like to ride out the summer here," said Lerena on At The Races. "I'm looking to find a good horse and try crack a big one here.
"I've won 11 Group Ones in South Africa and about 45 other Group races. I'm just hoping to crack it here.
"Over here the pace is really on and it's a true run race, in South Africa we tend to sit back a bit and sprint for home so I'm looking forward to the racing here and the testing tracks, it will be interesting.
"I'm based with Charlie, but will ride for anyone. I've got a ride at Newmarket on Thursday (Dr Goodhead) and will be riding out there Friday morning.
"A Royal Ascot winner would be special, a dream come true."
