The Modern Day gelding Surfin’ USA was the last local horse to win the Gr3 Algoa Cup.
Surfin’ USA in action under Piere Strydom
Seven years on, his trainer Jacques Strydom reminisced about a horse that was loaded with ability and, coincidentally, like his major hope in 2016, carried top weight.
Read his thoughts on Sunday’s Algoa Cup.
Jacques Strydom – PE’s surfing star
“They sent him to me from KZN with a mandate to get him into the Met. He had one prep and then won the Arlington 1800 and the Algoa Cup, ridden by Piere (Strydom), before a prep in December.”
He explained that his charge developed an abscess a week before the Met.
“On the Monday the Vet said cancel the travel plans, as we weren’t going to start in the big race. He was shocked by the improvement on the Tuesday, and then on Wednesday he said we’d be crazy not to go for it!”
A triumphant Glen Hatt returns to the winner’s enclosure on River Jetez
He went on to say that a false start damaged Surfin’ USA’s special shoes.
“The false start was very disappointing. One of the local trainers had asked that his horses load last. On the second jump Surfin’ USA’s shoes were buggered. But cowboys don’t cry. That’s racing and we live to race another day. He did well in the circumstances,” he said positively.
2010 was the ‘lady exacta’ year – Glen Hatt piloted River Jetez to beat the star Mother Russia, with the legend Pocket Power in third.
Great memories – and it feels like just yesterday!
Tune in to Tellytrack Dstv 239 at 16h20 on Sunday to watch the Gr3 Algoa Cup.
