NO MORE DRIVING TEST FOR LERNER

After a third on pick-up ride Rocket Star, French hoop aims higher in Merlion Trophy

- Michael Lee

Jockey Marc Lerner does not ride all that often for trainer Ricardo Le Grange.

But a pick-up ride has led to the two men reuniting for another rare pairing and in a Group event, for good measure.

The Frenchman might not have turned supersub aboard Rocket Star after Vlad Duric came down sick at the opening day on Jan 7, but the cracking third in a Kranji Stakes A over 1,100m on the Polytrack has earned him another nod.

Lerner gets another chance to steer the Star Witness six-year-old this Saturday in the $110,000 Group 3 Merlion Trophy (Poly 1,200m).

Convinced that the chestnut could have done better at that impromptu partnership, Lerner is relishing the second opportunity given by the South African.

"The 1,100m was a bit sharp for Rocket Star last time," he said.

"He had a good trip. As we came to the home turn, I took a cart behind Lucky Jinsha, who was the horse to beat.

"But, when Lucky Jinsha stayed one-paced in the home straight, we were a fraction stuck in a 'dead space'. He could not kick on as he usually does.