After being sidelined by an eye-injury for almost a year, Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom could be back in the saddle within a couple of weeks, if he gets the green light from his ophthalmologist.
The multiple SA champion jockey is even more anxious to get back into the saddle than his staunchest supporters, as he still has a number of goals which he desperately wants to achieve before finally hanging up his crop.
Piere Strydom – hopes that he can return (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“I’ve got a semi-detached retina,” Strydom told Tabnews’ Danie Toerien on Monday, explaining his long absence from racing.
“If I get a bump on the head or something similar, it could cause the retina to detach completely and then I’ll lose the sight in that eye completely.
“That’s the reason I’ve been off for so long. I’ve had to take time off for the eye to heal. But it seems that the healing process is going well,” he said.
One of the symptoms of this condition is that he gets flashes of light in his affected eye, making it impossible for him to ride.
“I have another appointment with my ophthalmologist in two weeks’ time, and then hopefully I’ll be able to make a decision about if, and when, I can start riding again. Time is the big factor here.”
One of Strydom’s biggest goals, is to ride another 11 winners.
“To be honest, I know I’m at the end of my career. I would love to get another 11 winners to get to 5,500. So, there’s still that incentive to come back and reach that goal.
“I went to the races on Tuesday night (Guineas Day at Turffontein) and a couple of trainers said they’d give me some rides to get there.
“How long it will take me to get those 11 winners is another story. It could be weeks or months.”
Good times! Des Gonsalves, Piere Strydom and Louis celebrate another winner
There should be ample opportunity for a jockey of Strydom’s calibre to get winning rides, with the likes of Callan Murray, Lyle Hewitson and Luke Ferraris plying their trade abroad.
“There definitely is a bit of a gap in the jockey ranks. It might just be the right time for me to step back in and do it.
“I still have that desire to ride and to ride winners. It’s definitely there.
“I know I’m not going to win any more championships. That takes a year of riding every day and riding winners. But I still have goals, and they drive me.
“At this stage of my career short-term goals are very important and I want to achieve them before I retire.
“I’m at a crossroads here. There are positives and negatives. In two weeks, I will hopefully get a final verdict, but for now I’m not sure what or where this will lead to.”
- Tabnews
