It’s been a winning weekend for ordinary passionate racing folk and it started at Fairview on Friday when a little filly who never raised a bid at the 2021 Mistico Cape Yearling Sale stormed to her second stakes success, in the process laying claim to an East Cape Championship title.
We use the ‘ordinary’ label with every respect. There is a world of difference going to the sales with a blank cheque book and a brief to bid on the best pages, as opposed to a 1970’s style budget and then having to dig for the diamonds in the rough.
While we admire the big-hitting champions, it’s the occasional success of the everyday bread-and-butter folk that truly ignite the imagination of the betting public.
Vaal trainer Corrie Lensley and his team raised the bar by smashing the big guns out of the park at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday when bargain buy Alesian Chief stormed to victory in the R750 000 Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint.
Hekkie Strydom is far left as the family and happy owners lead Chere For Me (Kyle Strydom) in (Pic – Pauline Herman)
But 24 hours earlier another working man’s yard took on the local and visiting big hitters at Fairview, and put them firmly in their place.
The petite filly’s name is Chere For Me is based with Jacques Strydom. She followed up her Listed East Cape Nursery victory in March, with a superb showing to win the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Slipper Stakes at her first try beyond 1400m on Friday.
While 2yo form is often less stable than our loadshedding schedules, it’s interesting to note that Chere For Me actually beat Ekoria in the Nursery. On Saturday, after a long rode trip from Gqeberha, Gavin Smith’s Ekoria finished a respectable 2,60 length fourth behind unbeaten Sean Tarry’s Gauteng visitor Sweet Pepper in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. So the form looks okay!
On Friday she put her below-par last start Dahlia Plate effort well behind her.
Moving up smoothly under the Ludeim-sponsored Kyle Strydom’s hands, Chere For Me (6-1) accelerated smartly and went clear to beat No Greater Love (14-1) by 2,50 lengths in a time of 86,66 secs.
Clearly growing in confidence, Kyle turned to his family and connections and blew a kiss as he hit the line – a nice touch!
Holly’s View (6-1) stayed on for a third, a further 1,25 lengths back.
Kyle Strydom guides Chere For Me to victory (Pic – Pauline Herman)
After the magnificent Robertson farm’s recent Gr1 success with Astrix, Riverton’s Duncan Barry was thrilled for the connections.
“She’s quite a small filly and is by Coup de Grace, who everyone had written off as a stallion by the time we offered her at Mistico last year. There was not a bid in the ring. I was on my way to book her on a float to take her home when Michael Sham suggested I phone Jacques Strydom who was looking for horses at the time. So this big-hearted petite filly went to the Eastern Cape. And the rest is history,” added the happy veteran breeder.
The winner is by Coup De Grace, who was the first son of Tapit to stand in South Africa. One of the fastest of his generation, the multiple graded stakes winner didn’t prove a commercial success and has been retired.
Chere For Me is out of the Riverton stalwart Red Eminence (Grey Eminence), who has a beautiful Captain Of All colt on offer at the BSA August 2yo Sale, and a Pomodoro colt foal at foot. She is currently not in foal.
Racing for a partnership of Messrs Vishal Mungroo, Nad Moodley, Trishen Moodley, Kevin Naidoo & Shephard Shumba, Messrs J V A Strydom, K P Shooter, Mrs M O Strydom & the Money Talks Syndicate, Chere For Me has now won 3 races with 2 places from 6 starts for stakes of R258 010.
An emotional trainer Jacques Strydom, whose Dad Hekkie was on course as part of the large lead-in, thanked his owners and made the point that his jockey son Kyle deserves more support.
“The lightie is so balanced and rides so well. It’s pressure going out there and booting these feature winners home. It looks easy- it’s not. He told me he couldn’t wait any longer and had to send her when he did. He rode a top race. I am so proud,” added multiple SA Champion Piere Strydom’s younger brother.
