Easy Does It. Birthday boy Piere Strydom celebrates with an easy win aboard Agra
Every Friday must feel like Christmas for Justin Snaith and Piere Strydom. The power pair continued their merry pillage of the Eastern Cape’s feature trophies when the smart Trippi 3yo Agra won the R130 000 Listed Milkwood Stakes in fine style at Arlington. Strydom just happened to be celebrating his birthday on the same day.
While Striker was blowing out his 47 candles to celebrate his special day, the talented Agra was hardly blowing out a solitary candle, such was the ease of her win.
In the top jockey’s own words, the 3yo is patently ‘far too good for PE’ and despite her fooling around in running, there was no panic as she was never headed to win easily.
Agra was all the rage and started at a prohibitive 3 to 10 to win by 3 lengths in a time of 57,99 secs.
She beat the improved again Maxixe, while her stablemate Cat’s Paw hung on for third a further half length back.
The race was absolutely uneventful and the closest that one will get to a plan come together for punters.
Strydom thanked the Snaith team and said that every time he got the call, it inevitably meant ‘at least one winning ride.’
Agra was his third win of the afternoon and second for Snaith.
“They have effectively made the difference and put the jockey championship in my hand. One has to travel to win it and Justin is probably too good for here,” he said modestly.
Assistant trainer Juan Nel who does an outstanding support job, conceded that Agra ‘could win anywhere in the country.’
He also paid tribute to stallion Trippi, saying that his progeny were ‘starting to light up.’
Agra, who races in the interests of Vanashree and Anant Singh, and Team Valor International, has now won five races from her seven starts and took her career earnings to R281 630.
She was bred by Highlands Stud and is by Trippi out of the four time winning National Assembly mare, The Taj.
She was sold for R700 000 on the 2012 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1.
Straightshooter!
As usual there is never a dull moment in PE on a Friday.
A contentious objection by the Stipes followed in the eighth race.
They objected on behalf of the third placed horse Royal Treasure against the winner Lunar Emblem, who had beaten his stablemate Priceless Gem, also in the Jooste silks.
The objection was upheld, with the winner being placed third and Royal Treasure elevated to second.
Tellytrack presenter Gavin Venter summed up the general feeling, calling it ‘a bad decision.’
“But what can one do?” he added.
Good question.
