A drop in distance to 2200m and a switch to the polytrack. Jacques Strydom and the Kruger family, new trainer and owners of the Querari gelding Desert Wisdom, must have believed the R110 000 Lakeside Handicap was theirs for the taking after rain caused a disruption to the scheduled programme at Fairview on Friday.
Karl Zechner and Desert Wisdom are well clear in the feature (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
Following 28mm of rain over 24 hours, with resultant unsafe underfoot conditions, it was decided to switch the meeting from Turf to Polytrack.
The locals are keen to race and, but for a few withdrawals and a capacity restraint of 12 runners in fields, the nine–race card went ahead with a minimum of disruption.
Jacques Strydom’s coupling in the afternoon’s non black-type feature of Desert Wisdom and Frikkie boasted solid course and distance form, and it was the younger Desert Wisdom who came into the lead, after Mangrove had led. He was in front at the top of the straight under Karl Zechner and lengthened away unpressured to beat Plano by 1,75 lengths in a time of 133,36 secs.
Jacques Strydom – pleased with Gogetthesheriff’s effort
Stablemate Frikkie, who probably suffered the worst interference when Pyramus clipped heels and unseated Matthew Thackeray at the 1100m, stormed through from lengths back to grab third. Thackeray was on his feet in seconds.
Desert Wisdom was winning his third race (with two places) from five starts over the course and distance.
Originally trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, Desert Wisdom was based with Sharon Kotzen previously. He was having his first start for master stamina trainer, Jacques Strydom.
Bred by Peter de Beyer, Desert Wisdom is a son of sire of the moment Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the six-time winner, Meaningfful (Kefaah).
Bought for R80 000 off the 2015 CTS Lanzerac Ready To Run Sale, Desert Wisdom has won 4 races with 6 places from 19 starts for stakes of R245 850.
He stays well – and that always gives them a chance in the Eastern Cape.
