Striker after winning the Selangor on Act Of War
Piere Strydom has disclosed that loyalty and an eye to the future are the reasons he has opted to ride Harry’s Son rather than hot favourite Act Of War in Saturday’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas, writes Michael Clower.
He said: “I picked Harry’s Son because I committed to the yard and to the owners some time ago and they have big plans for the horse, whereas when Anton Marcus comes back he will be riding Act Of War.”
Marcus, sidelined by an injured thumb, is retained by Act Of War’s owner Markus Jooste and won the Cape Classic on the horse.
Strydom’s immediate reaction after riding his 5 000th winner on Act Of War in last month’s Selangor Cup was that the colt was “probably better” than Harry’s Son and he still believes that all the advantages lie with the Joey Ramsden-trained hope in Saturday’s big race.
The six-time champion said: “He is a quality horse who is based in Cape Town and he has gone round a left-hand turn but I hope my horse surprises us.”
Strydom won the Cape Guineas on Pointing North in 2008 and Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who takes over on Act Of War, was successful on Solo Traveller four years ago as well as on Elusive Gold 12 months ago.
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