Top Man. Piere Strydom won the PE feature today
Piere Strydom kept up the pressure at the top of the jockey log when he rode a typically professional race to win the R75 000 Oaks Plate at Fairview on Friday on the promising Silvano filly, Silvan Spirit.
Strydom, who was deputising for the regular stable jockey the injured MJ Byleveld, arrived late on track due to flight arrangements, but quickly picked up the thread on a disastrous afternoon for Place Accumulator punters.
Silvan Spirit went off tote favourite, and brought a semblance of respect to the afternoon after one traumatic result after the next.
Trainer Alan Greeff sent out five runners in this feature and it was not surprising to see the maiden Luna Legend being utilised to ensure a true run race as she led for much of the trip, just ahead of her stablemate Pretty Caddy and with Go Googol handily placed in third.
Yvette Bremner’s good Ashaawes filly Scented Ash was in a striking position about five lengths off the leaders.
Into the home straight Luna Legend continued to lead as Scented Ash moved forward powerfully down the centre.
But inside the 300m Piere Strydom was in full flight and he brought Silvan Spirit through the middle with a powerful burst to win going away at 17 to 10. She won by 1,25 lengths in a time of 112,78 secs.
The 11 to 1 Hazel Jay maintained her form and ran on well for second, just ahead of Majestic Beauty and Valor Red.
Trained by Alan Greef, the winner was bred by Wicklow Stud, in whose partnership colours she races.
She is by Silvano out of the twice winning Al Mufti mare, Princess Bibesco.
Silvan Spirit has earned at all of her six outings, and registered her second win here.
She took her career earnings total to R109 725 and will definitely not stop here.
