Geoff Woodruff’s top weighted Shadow Ofhis Smile looks a danger
Who would want to bet against anything that Piere Strydom is throwing his leg over at the moment? The brilliant multiple champion jockey has made a flying start to the season and he rides the Australian-bred Samogan for Sean Tarry in the topliner on the Vaal sand on Thursday. The combination looks very hard to oppose.
Sean Tarry’s Flying Spur 4yo has won 3 of his last 4 starts on the Vaal sand and while stepping up considerably in class in the MR 90 Divided Handicap, he has the best of the draw and the best of the jockeys to aid his cause.
Strydom has publicly declared his hunger to boost his career winning tally this season to the magical 5000 mark and he reduced his ‘shortfall’ to 63 after the second meeting of the new season on the Highveld last Monday.
That was after four winners at Turffontein last Sunday and then riding a genuine hat-trick of winners on the Vaal sand on Monday.
There is nothing quite as enjoyable as watching Striker in top form. But Gavin Lerena won’t be sleeping on the job either.
Piere Strydom rides the in-form Samogan
Emerald Potential?
Samogan has won his last two starts by a collective 11,25 lengths and looks an upwardly mobile sort who could be on the fringes of a potential Emerald Cup berth.
That said, he has not beaten a lot of note, but one can only enjoy his dashing style of racing.
He would ideally need to win a race of this nature to establish himself as a serious candidate.
Threat
His major opponent could prove to be the topweight, Geoff Woodruff’s classy 4yo gelding Shadow Ofhis Smile.
He has run two fair races over Thursday’s course and distance but is yet to open his sand account after two resounding earlier victories on the turf.
He was caught a touch flat-footed last time by the lighter weighted Precursor (another Jooste runner) when beaten 2,25 lengths, but has his third run after a break and will strip fitter on Thursday.
Gavin Lerena rides him again.
Preferable
Leon Erasmus’ smart grey Stavinsky may be better over the shorter here after finding things tough when failing to kick on behind Panjo last Tuesday.
He has drawn a touch wide at 9, and Hennie Greyling is aboard again.
Brad’s Surge ran last Thursday in a rather strong MR 92 Handicap at Turffontein. He was unplaced there and after winning his two previous starts, he may just be crying out for a break.
He could have the last laugh though from a good draw with a galloping weight and we could be proven off the mark.
Kenny Coupling
The 6yo Velddrifter finished 6,50 lengths behind Stavinsky at his last start but meets the Erasmus runner on 3,5kgs better terms and is a capable course and distance winner.
His stablemate Vulcan may be the stronger of the two and is bang in form.
A winner of 6 of his 22 starts, he is yet to bank a first cheque on this surface but has run enough places to show that he will be no pushover.
Vulcan won his last start over the Vaal turf 1200m when bounding away from the lightly weighted Cohiba on 17 July.
Gavin van Zyl-experimenting with his runner
Marginal
Gavin van Zyl tries the sand for the first time with his Imperial Stride gelding, Regal Stride.
A three time winner, he can only be taken on trust but appears well held by Brad’s Surge on turf form.
The Sarge gelding Angel Gabriel returns from a break of 26 weeks after being found to be lame behind in a poor course and distance effort behind Passion Pleaser at his last start.
He may need a run or two to find his fitness feet again.
The Paul Matchett-trained Trippi filly Tipsy Trip enjoys a paper weight courtesy of young Jarryd Penny’s claim, but will have to improve many lengths on her 23 lengths behind All In The Mind last time.
She won a weak maiden on the sand in November when accounting for Crystal’ Revenge and then ran 7 lengths behind Nightingale Grey over a sand mile.
This should be tough for her.
Needle
Samogan and Shadow Ofhis Smile look the right two to fight this race out.
Samogan has a straight 7kg pull at the weights but has made respiratory noises at times recently and that will be a definite red flag.
Strydom is a man on a mission and him versus Lerena always makes for some needle and great entertainment. The duel could be the highpoint of the week.
