Multiple SA Champion jockey Piere Strydom has five rides on the eight race Champ de Mars card on Saturday, including past Selangor Cup winner Hard Day’s Night in the topliner, The MTC Bicentenary Trophy to be run over 1500m.
Hard Day’s Night, a 6yo entire, was formerly trained by Joey Ramsden and has won five races on the island.
Records show that Striker last rode at the Port Louis track during the international day in 2001.
He met the Mauritius racing media in track work on Tuesday morning, after jetting in on Monday afternoon late.
“I am very happy to be in Mauritius and I am looking forward to meeting the new challenge with the Rameshwar Gujadhur team and their connections, I decided to come here. I have achieved so much during my career and I will be giving my best in my new job. I was able to ride some of their horses today and they gave me a good feeling. I just hope that everything will work out well and I am riding for a stable that is among the favourites for the title this year. I’m also hopeful that I will be able to cope with my weight loss. But be sure that I will ride to the best of my ability, ” he said.
He also confirmed that he may be travelling to South Africa for the Vodacom Durban July Handicap if he is able to secure a ride in the big one.
Striker’s first ride on Saturday is Danger Rock in the second race over 990m.
The race is off at 11h05 and will be shown on Tellytrack ( Dstv 239)