Piere Strydom – happy with quick handling of his matter by NHA
Multiple SA champion jockey Piere Strydom is mulling over his options in advance of a possible appeal against the severity of the suspension imposed, following his guilty finding for failing to ride Dublin Rebel out at Turffontein a fortnight ago.
Strydom has until Wednesday to lodge his appeal and is being assisted by long-time family friend and prominent local legal eagle, Advocate Mannie Witz.
In Johannesburg on Wednesday he faced an NHA board and was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3. The charge stemmed from him failing to ride Dublin Rebel out to the end of the third race at Turffontein Racecourse on 27 August 2015.
Dublin Rebel had looked a certain winner and was caught in the final stride by a horse that had ghosted up on the rail – and that Striker had patently not seen.
He pleaded guilty on Wednesday and was handed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of ninety days, of which forty days were wholly suspended for a period of two years.
Equus Champion trio – Piere with SA champion jockey Gavin Lerena and SA champion apprentice Craig Zackey
Initial reaction to the sentence was mixed, although it has elicited varying levels of shock for its severity in certain quarters – while also receiving international media coverage.
When viewed against the relatively ‘softer’ fines imposed on other senior leading riders of the likes of Anton Marcus, Kevin Shea and Marthinus Mienie for similar offences, it is hardly surprising that Strydom is considering appealing.
While no excuse, it is a sad spin-off of an understandable obsession to keep a horse’s merit rating in check that most jockeys play poker with the handicapper and restrict winning margins – or risk incurring the wrath of connections.
Piere and Claudia Shackleford – wedding bells
Understandably, Striker would not be drawn on commenting specifically on the possible grounds of an appeal.
“I made a mistake and admitted to it. I am very thankful that the National Horseracing Authority dealt with the matter so promptly as it is not ideal riding professionally with this sort of thing around one’s neck. But I need to look at what I need to do next. And Mannie (Witz) will assist and guide me,” he said.
With wedding bells ringing in the distance – he ties the knot with his lovely fiance, and mother of his two boys, Claudia Shackleford, on 14 October – Piere has plenty on his plate!
