Leading jockeys Stanley Amos and Karl Neisius retired at the age of 65 and 58 respectively, and it now seems that 57 year old multiple champion Piere Strydom is set to join the seniors club with the news that trainer Michael Roberts has asked him to pend his retirement plans for a final tilt at the 2024 Met on See It Again.
Striker was widely expected to call it a day after last Sunday’s HKJC World Pool Gold Cup meeting.
Stanley Amos (photo: Form Organisation)
However, he told Gold Circle earlier this week that “Muis has asked me to stay on until the Met.”
He pointed out Hollywoodbets Kenilworth suited See It Again due to his way of racing, which is to run at horses from off the pace.
He added he would also be well weighted in the prestigious weight for age event as the highest rated middle-distance horse in the country.
Karl Neisius (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Roberts’ faith in Strydom speaks volumes, especially in the face of the criticism the latter received from some quarters for his ride in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Strydom went for a gap at the top of the straight after being caught in some scrimmaging, so might have got to the front too soon.
However, the alternative of sitting behind Bless My Stars and waiting for a gap to open only looks good in retrospect, because, after all, she was a 33/1 shot and not expected to be involved in the finish.
Talking about last Sunday’s Gr1 HKJC World Pool Champions Cup, where See It Again ran on from a long way back for second, Strydom felt he could not have placed See It Again any better.
Piere Strydom and Muis Roberts with See It Again – the team could be seen in action at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 27 January 2024 (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
He has always pointed out that See It Again does not jump well and he said an alternative tactic to dropping him out would probably have seem him trapped three wide.
He said, “In any case the filly won very well, I don’t want to take anything away from her.”
Strydom feels See It Again’s best trip is 2000m plus.
It will be a surprise if The Twice Over colt does not walk away with the Equus Champion Middle Distance horse award as the winner of both the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby and Gr1 Daily News 2000 plus a narrow second in the Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m, giving 3,5kg to the winner, and another second in the wfa HKJC World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m.
Strydom said he would continue to keep up his current rate of midweek and weekend riding.
He said having to lose some weight for the July had been a help as he was now finding it easier to maintain his weight.
He added that he was feeling strong and fit.
