Strydom hoping for Vaal winners before final Met ride
Veteran champion jockey getting set for retirement
23 January 2023 - 15:30
byDAVID MOLLETT
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Piere Strydom has his final Met ride on Saturday, and the veteran jockey could kick-start a big week by scoring a double at the Vaal on Tuesday.
Strydom, who is shortly to retire, will partner King’s Plate victor Al Muthana in the R2m race sponsored by World Sports Betting.
This is something of a surprise as Nexus looked his likely mount, but Bernard Fayd'Herbe — sure to have been offered the ride again on Al Muthana — has opted to ride eight-year-old Do It Again. The dual Durban July winner beat only three home in his latest outing and his best days are surely behind him.
Commenting on Al Muthana’s chance in Winning Form, Strydom said: “He is a dual grade 1 winning miler and — given that he is in great form — it makes sense to take a chance with him in the Met. Mr Maingard knows how to train grade 1 winners.”
Al Muthana is drawn 12 of the 19 runners, and the jockey said: “I really don't see this being an issue as he will probably be ridden from off the pace.”
Strydom has four other rides at Saturday’s meeting and the pick of the quartet should be Gimme More Time in the fifth race. This three-year-old son of Gimmethegreenlight ran second in his most recent start and has a favourable draw.
Of Strydom’s four rides at the Vaal on Tuesday, both Admiralty Arch (sixth race) and Lady Of Power (seventh) have good chances on form.
Admiralty Arch is a consistent son of Admiral Kitten and his last six starts have yielded one win and four seconds. Mike de Kock’s four-year-old, Sequoia, rates the main danger.
Strydom has ridden many winners for Joe Soma and Lady Of Power could be another for this combination. The daughter of Master Of My Fate drops in class in the seventh race and this could enable the filly to notch up her second career win.
There are several runners with chances in this 1,450m handicap including Arden Park and Bee In My Bonnet. The latter won in good style at Turffontein before Christmas and should go well in the hands of Diego De Gouveia.
Gavin Lerena has an important date with Kommetdieding in Saturday's Met and he will be disappointed if he does not win the fourth race at the Vaal on Sean Tarry’s three-year-old, Swing Upon A Star.
The son of Elusive Fort — partnered to two wins by Warren Kennedy last year — has hardly put a hoof wrong in his eight starts and can beat home Keagan De Melo’s mount, Tsar Bomba.
Stuart Pettigrew’s runners always demand close scrutiny and his four-year-old Southern Blaze makes plenty of appeal with just 52,5kg on his back in the final leg of the jackpot.
The son of Global View was beaten in a photo-finish in his most recent outing but — with the advantage of pole position — can beat home Kotinos who didn’t have much luck at Turffontein last month.
Pettigrew also sends out his three-year-old, Iron Sky, to contest the third race with Kabelo Matsunyane booked for the gelding for the first time. Very much a question of — if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
SELECTIONS
1st Race: No Selection
2nd Race: (2) Time For Charity (1) Camerata (3) Rio Supremo (7) Leahlicious
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Strydom hoping for Vaal winners before final Met ride
Veteran champion jockey getting set for retirement
Piere Strydom has his final Met ride on Saturday, and the veteran jockey could kick-start a big week by scoring a double at the Vaal on Tuesday.
Strydom, who is shortly to retire, will partner King’s Plate victor Al Muthana in the R2m race sponsored by World Sports Betting.
This is something of a surprise as Nexus looked his likely mount, but Bernard Fayd'Herbe — sure to have been offered the ride again on Al Muthana — has opted to ride eight-year-old Do It Again. The dual Durban July winner beat only three home in his latest outing and his best days are surely behind him.
Commenting on Al Muthana’s chance in Winning Form, Strydom said: “He is a dual grade 1 winning miler and — given that he is in great form — it makes sense to take a chance with him in the Met. Mr Maingard knows how to train grade 1 winners.”
Al Muthana is drawn 12 of the 19 runners, and the jockey said: “I really don't see this being an issue as he will probably be ridden from off the pace.”
Strydom has four other rides at Saturday’s meeting and the pick of the quartet should be Gimme More Time in the fifth race. This three-year-old son of Gimmethegreenlight ran second in his most recent start and has a favourable draw.
Of Strydom’s four rides at the Vaal on Tuesday, both Admiralty Arch (sixth race) and Lady Of Power (seventh) have good chances on form.
Admiralty Arch is a consistent son of Admiral Kitten and his last six starts have yielded one win and four seconds. Mike de Kock’s four-year-old, Sequoia, rates the main danger.
Strydom has ridden many winners for Joe Soma and Lady Of Power could be another for this combination. The daughter of Master Of My Fate drops in class in the seventh race and this could enable the filly to notch up her second career win.
There are several runners with chances in this 1,450m handicap including Arden Park and Bee In My Bonnet. The latter won in good style at Turffontein before Christmas and should go well in the hands of Diego De Gouveia.
Gavin Lerena has an important date with Kommetdieding in Saturday's Met and he will be disappointed if he does not win the fourth race at the Vaal on Sean Tarry’s three-year-old, Swing Upon A Star.
The son of Elusive Fort — partnered to two wins by Warren Kennedy last year — has hardly put a hoof wrong in his eight starts and can beat home Keagan De Melo’s mount, Tsar Bomba.
Stuart Pettigrew’s runners always demand close scrutiny and his four-year-old Southern Blaze makes plenty of appeal with just 52,5kg on his back in the final leg of the jackpot.
The son of Global View was beaten in a photo-finish in his most recent outing but — with the advantage of pole position — can beat home Kotinos who didn’t have much luck at Turffontein last month.
Pettigrew also sends out his three-year-old, Iron Sky, to contest the third race with Kabelo Matsunyane booked for the gelding for the first time. Very much a question of — if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
SELECTIONS
1st Race: No Selection
2nd Race: (2) Time For Charity (1) Camerata (3) Rio Supremo (7) Leahlicious
3rd Race: (1) Iron Sky (8) Brosnan (9) Elusive Justice (10) Sagan
4th Race: (1) Swing Upon A Star (2) Tsar Bomba (5) Lil Miss Moneybags (4) Texas Red
5th Race: (6) Namaqua Blossom (4) Raratonga Rose (3) Banha Bridge (2) Little Prince
6th Race: (1) Admiralty Arch (3) Sequoia (9) Luthuli (4) Tinder Dry
7th Race: (1) Lady Of Power (3) Bee In My Bonnet (2) Arden Park (5) Pashasha
8th Race: (12) Southern Blaze (7) Kotinos (10) In Cahoots (4) Magical Flight
9th Race: (6) Escape Artist (1) Clafoutis (4) Princess Philippa (5) Wokonda
10th Race: (6) Pacific Express (2) Monsieur Chevelle (12) Manz Knight (9) Rosy Lemon
July winner Sparkling Water the forgotten horse in Cape Met
Make It Snappy Met price slashed after booking of De Melo
Breeders miss out on big payday by shunning Cape sale
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Charl Pretorius tackles tough subject in horse racing book
Wide draw not a worry for At My Command
Rabada’s son ready to thwart Umthombo Wolwazi’s hat-trick bid
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.