Piere Strydom kicks clear on Vino Veritas as the grey Santa Carolina chases her home (Pic:JC Photos)
A brave tactical decision to remove the blinkers played a major role in a good win for the Gavin Van Zyl-trained Vino Veritas in the R125 000 Allez France Handicap run over 2200m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The smart daughter of Silvano won her last start in the headgear despite fighting jockey Piere Strydom, but the removal on Saturday saw her nicely relaxed throughout and she was then left with some energy to kick on when it counted.
Piere Strydom – polished again and rode a smart double
Strydom had Vino Veritas sauntering along about five lengths off the leader Dream Galaxy with a muddling pace throwing some uncertainty into the equation.
Dream Galaxy led Hawker Harrier Hurricane and Lertasha, with Vino Veritas and Wild Ash further back.
Into the home run the pace quickened as Hawker Hurricane continued to stay on powerfully with the grey Santa Carolina commencing a forward move from some way back.
Strydom had Vino Veritas within striking distance and he angled her out for a run.
Vino Veritas swept into the lead at the 300m and she stayed on strongly to hold the nicely improved again Santa Carolina to win by 1,50 lengths in a time of 139,68 secs.
Hawker Hurricane also ran a cracker to stay on for third and she looks a promising 3yo in the making.
The Weiho Marwing trained Lertasha came in for some betting support but failed to fire and plodded into fifth. She may not have seen out the trip.
Chesney Van Zyl – saddled the winner
Joey Soma-trained Rodeo Sioux never showed and she ran stone last n a disappointing effort.
The Wildekrans sponsored Piere Strydom produced another polished performance and Vino Veritas was the second leg of a double on the day after he had picked up a winning chance ride on Kenton On Sea for Alec Laird in the third race.
Strydom was vocal in his praise of assistant Chesney Van Zyl.
“He had guts to take the blinkers off today. But last time she fought me all the way and she produced a much more sustained effort today,” he said.
Van Zyl was equally complimentary of Strydom’s feedback following Vino Veritas’ last run:
“Piere said that she never left him alone and pulled all the way. Thanks to him for the good feedback. That sort of professionalism adds plenty of value. There are some nice fillies staying features for Vino Veritas in the coming months and we will target them.”
Vino Veritas was astutely purchased for R160 000 by Chesney’s Dad, Gavin Van Zyl, at the 2012 Emperors Palace 2yo Sale.
The Maine Chance Farms bred daughter of Silvano is out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare, Valdovino.
She has won 4 races with 3 places from 13 starts and R287 300 in stakes.
She was one of four Silvano winners on the day – the others being Silver Salver, Silver Scooter and Delighted.
