Piere Strydom – should have a big day
The Kenilworth midweek action continues to provide racing fans with great entertainment.
Last week we saw promising Cape Guineas prospect, Craven.
Today we have the legendary Piere Strydom doing duty for Justin Snaith – with last season’s Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn in action.
The evergreen Striker, now 50 years old, a multiple champion, and master of his art, remains arguably the greatest jockey produced in this country and with the Cape jockey ranks looking thin on the experience front, his presence will be welcomed by punters.
It’s My Turn and Piere Strydom seen winning the Cape Derby
Strydom was aboard when It’s My Turn produced that dazzling late finish from near last to beat Brazuca and Marinaresco to win the Investec Cape Derby two months short of a year ago.
Returning from a break of almost five months, the son of Dynasty will have bigger fish to fry in the next few weeks, with the Sun Met his obvious target.
Snaith has 4 of the 7 runners in the 1500m Allowance Plate, which includes Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Heartland and Brett Crawford star, Whiskey Baron, who was runner-up to Champions Cup winner Marinaresco in the Winter Guineas and the Winter Classic last term.
It’s My Turn has not seen action since running an excellent fourth in the Vodacom Durban July behind The Conglomerate.
Prior to that he was only beaten a quarter length by Rabada in the Gr1 Daily News 2000.
Although he won his first start over 1300m, he will likely find the 1500m on the short side – but the cream always rises to the top and it would not surprise us to see him crack another win.
Relentless galloper Blarney Bay
The day’s topliner is a R90 000 MR 96 Handicap over 1400m where the presence of the 8yo Blarney Bay under top weight of 61,5kgs immediately catches the eye.
The eight time winning son of Nysaean is a crowd favourite with his bold front-running style and he threw a curved ball at his connections last time when running a very decent third behind the top-class Sail South.
Mike Robinson as formed a strong bond with Blarney Bay (Bay Media)
That was generally thought to have been Blarney’s swansong – but the soldier loves his racing too much.
“He ran such a good race last time, Peter De Beyer and Gill Dempsey decided to persevere – and we entered him for this little handicap, the last on the old course for some while. It worked out well as he wasn’t given a massive weight and we have the claimer aboard. We will see how he goes – he is fit and well. After this we may look at a Fairview polytrack visit. But nothing hard and fast,” says trainer Mike Robinson.
He confirmed that Blarney Bay would be pensioned off to Gill Dempsey’s beautiful Tokai farm in March, where he would become his loving co-owner’s personal ride.
Justin Snaith – saddles Overshadow
Here Justin Snaith and Piere Strydom look to hold the key again on what should be a red-letter day for the pair.
They team up with Trippi’s smart son Overshadow, an accomplished course and distance winner who goes for four in a row.
He looks the standout with Joey Ramsden’s Catkin the main danger.
The son of Horse Chestnut has run two good races since returning from KZN.
But follow Strydom and Snaith and enjoy a great day at the tote window.
