JACK MILNER
JOCKEY Piere Strydom rode four winners at Turffontein on Sunday and he can continue where he left off at the Vaal on Thursday. A foursome of winners is nothing to be sneezed at but remarkably Strydom could have come away with seven, had luck been on his side.
He won with Pokerface, Dealsdunn, Oracy and Wings Parade, but he looked to be going like a winner when Wie Lil’ Sally broke down in Race 4, while Intellectual, who was hampered at the start, needed half a stride more to win the Lebelo Sprint. In addition, Access Code was finishing fast in Race 8, but was held off by Hup-Two-Three.
Racing is on the turf course and Strydom carded to ride in all but one of the eight races. He opens the meeting aboard two-year-old Juan Belmonte in a rare ride for trainer James Maree and it should be a winning opening gambit for the combination.
Of the raced runners the Toreador colt looks head and shoulders above his opposition, having run a 2.25-length second to Magico on debut. On breeding, none of the unraced runners really strikes one but that usually means very little and one will need to follow the betting closely.
But the fact that Maree has engaged Strydom already speaks volumes and with that all-important run under his belt, Juan Belmonte looks the best bet on the card.
But for the sad tale of Wie Lil’ Sally, the combination of Strydom and Joey Soma has been quite formidable. The ride on Pokerface that resulted in a victory over odds-on favourite Safwan on Sunday was nothing short of remarkable and the pair could get back in the No 1 box with Happy Landing in Race 3. Strydom was in the irons last time when the Al Mufti colt flew late to finish a one-length second to the well-supported Fun To Run and they can go one better.
Strydom is also in line for a victory in Race 5, where he rides the well-weighted Choisir for Geoff Woodruff in a Graduation Plate over 1400m. The Argentinian-bred colt is at his best over this track and trip and should prove too good for the three-year-old pairing of Danse To Destiny and Iwannadance, who sound more prepared for the pas de deux from Swan Lake than a horse race.
They finished a close third and second respectively behind Club Victor in the Secretariat Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein and there is little to choose between the pair again here.
Choisir appeared to find the 1200m a touch too sharp when beaten 0.20-lengths by stable companion Harbour Gold last time and will prefer the extra 200m here.
In Race 6 Strydom rides Rifleman, who is having his third run since having been gelded. Brett Webber’s runner had a promising start to his career and could go close here if in the mood. He does take a drop in class and looks upset material.
The same applies to Race 7 where Strydom rides Airbus for Alec Laird. The Jet Master gelding has the ability to win here although he could find this 1200m a touch sharp.
However, Strydom has a great opportunity to close the year on a winning note when he rides Silver Candle for Sean Tarry. This Al Mufti filly has raced just once and scored an exciting win over Ex Unitate Vires. She is a grey, like her globe-trotting half-sister National Colour, and with any improvement she could be hard to stop.
Mary Lou is weighted to win this Novice Plate over 1000m but Paul Matchett’s filly is likely to find the trip too sharp.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
