A typically well judged ride from the masterful Piere Strydom delivered the first leg of a 120-1 feature double at Turffontein on Saturday for the multiple champion – who is probably a better jockey than a tipster.
Piere Strydom pushes Captain Aldo out to a nice first stakes win – that is unplaced favourite Master ‘N Commander behind him (Pic – JC Photos)
Strydom said in the R150 000 Listed Wolf Power 1600 post-race formalities, after getting the 12-1 Captain Aldo home, that he was one of two horses that would have been left out of a Pick 6 perm, on form.
“But well done to St John Gray – he has obviously improved him from his last run,” he quipped after he had kept the 5yo geldling going to hold a late challenge from Anton Marcus on the also improved again Shadow Ofhis Smile. Striker was to prove Superman’s nemesis on the day, when he nailed him by a similar margin two features later.
The race named in honour of Flirting Around’s outstanding son, attracted a field of ten, with Master ‘N Commander going off a weak 9-2 favourite.
The Birch Brothers-bred Wolf Power died in 2002 at the age of 24 while standing at the Becks’ Gainesway Farm.
He had an illustrious turf career here, winning 18 of 31 races and earning a South African record stakes bank. He set four course records and was the first South African runner to race a mile under 1:34.
Exported in 1984, Wolf Power put up some solid figures as a stallion and produced 38 stakes winners.
Piere Strydom rode an uncomplicated race in the ten horse field, as he settled Captain Aldo in the slipstream of the free-striding The Hangman, with the favourite Master ‘N Commander always in attendance.
Captain Aldo took the fight to his opposition as he was encouraged to the front at the 400m – he certainly looked to have a race on!
Into the final stages, with Captain Aldo being kept balanced and leading them doggedly, Marcus produced Shadow Ofhis Smile with a storming run down the inside.
Piere Strydom – another cracking ride
But Strydom had judged matters perfectly and the Captain held on to win by a short head in a time of 97,37 secs. And at great value of 12-1 for Striker fans.
This was the 5yo’s first stakes win and a commendable first success beyond 1450m. He has now won 3 of his last 4 starts, and if the handicapper goes easy on him, he should continue to earn.
Gavin Lerena had the favourite Master ‘N Commander in touch but he faded out to fifth when the pressure came.
Captain Aldo races in the interests of St John Gray and well-known Cape restauranteur, Aldo Girolo.
He was bred by Boland Stud and is a son of Captain Al out of the three-time winning Elliodor mare, Cuddle Me. Gray has trained the family with great success.
Captain Aldo took his win tally to 5 with 11 places from his 25 runs, and has now earned R507 550 in stakes.
