Copper Parade bursts clear under Piere Strydom to win the Gr1 Computaform Sprint (JC Photos)
Piere Strydom is world class and he demonstrated the style and brilliance that has made him one of our greats when he produced the PE visitor Copper Parade at the very last to grab champion filly Via Africa and win the R1 million Gr1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein on Saturday. Strydom’s salute at the line was the sign that this veteran has never lost the competitive edge as he took a step closer to his 5000 winner milestone.
Ironically Copper Parade’s only other Gr1 victory was in Strydom’s hands and was achieved in the boardroom at Clairwood way back in 2010.
Copper Parade was awarded first place in the R500 000 Gr1 Golden Horseshoe over the Mike De Kock trained Kavanagh.
Then trained by Joey Ramsden, Copper Parade got the steward’s nod over Kavanagh after a jostling match in the final strides of the 2yo feature.
But he has spent the majority of the balance of his racing career in the care of Yvette Bremner, who has done an outstanding job.
She had him fit and in a fighting mood as he faced 12 of the best speedsters this country has to offer and if ever a horse and jockey marriage was made in heaven, Copper Parade just loves Strydom.
With the fancied KZN raider Schiffer a bit restless in the stalls and then taken out at the jump, the pace was on with Valberg and the express Via Africa in the firing line. Copper Parade was relaxed just off the fuss and bustle, as he enjoys it.
At the 200m marker Via Africa loomed up to snatch the lead and she looked destined for glory until Strydom swooped on the outside.
Copper Parade flew late to get up and beat Via Africa by 0,75 lengths in a time of 56,16 secs.
Copper Parade had come up to Gauteng as a travelling companion for Celtic Fire when pulling off a win in the Listed Golden Loom Handicap last year and obviously enjoys the inland environment.
The winner was bred by Ascot Stud and is by Lecture out of the one time winning Al Mufti mare, Copper Horizon.
He has won 9 races with 15 places from 47 starts and R1 776 475 in stakes.
Well done to the PE connections!
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Gr1 Computaform Sprint (SAf-Gr1) Turffontein, South Africa, April 26, R1 million, 1000m, turf, good, 56.16 1-COPPER PARADE (SAF), 60.0, b g 6, Lecture (USA) – Copper Horizon (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA). Owner Ms Yvette Bremner & Optima Trust (Nom: Mrs V Fenix); breeder Ascot Stud; trainer Y Bremner; jockey P Strydom 2-Via Africa (SAF), 57.5, b f 4, Var (USA) – Bump ‘n Grind (SAF) by Qui Danzig (USA) 3-Contador (SAF), 60.0, ch g 4, Var (USA) – Fine Wood (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA) Margins: ¾, 1½, 1¾
