Mike Azzie – made a shrewd tactical call
The charismatic Mike Azzie was at his sartorial and eloquent best after Brooks-Club’s victory at Turffontein on Saturday. Paying tribute to the recently deceased Robin Williams and wrapped up in a rather elegant coat against the bitterly cold Joburg afternoon, he was pleased as punch.
The former Oppenheimer-owned gelding’s victory in the MR 96 Handicap appeared to provide pleasurable compensation in the end for a frustrating three placed cheques.
Azzie has been firing on all cylinders and his seven Turffontein runners banked a first, second , third and fourth placed cheque, with three going unplaced.
But one could be forgiven for thinking that the great competitor had won the Summer Cup, such was his obvious satisfaction that he had produced the enigmatically talented Brooks-Club in top trim to get back into the winning enclosure.
Piere Strydom, who had only ridden Brooks-Club once previously, rode a cracker and underlined Azzie’s opinion that the multiple champion jockey would suit the gelding.
He had him last coming into the turn for home and some of his supporters may have had a few anxious moments.
Piere Strydom – master in the saddle
“I was forced to go a bit wide as I couldn’t get in and then when I saw Rocco’s Luck in front of me, I was a bit worried as he is always near the back coming for home! But I got him to go and he turned it on smartly,” said the composed Strydom.
Brooks-Club was a facile winner, and easily held the late charge of the long shot Antarctic Call.
In explaining the move to book Strydom for Brooks-Club, Azzie almost bordered on the apologetic.
“Derreck David and JP van der Merwe are my stable jockeys, but sometimes one has to make strategic decisions. I phoned the owners to discuss Piere’s engagement. They gave me the green light and it worked out well. He settled him beautifully and really got the best out of him,” he said.
“This was one of the late Mrs Oppenheimer’s favourite horses and I urged Andre to buy him. I didn’t want to lose him,” he continued.
Derreck David back from the island and has joined Team Azzie
“Thanks to Andre Van Vuuren . He has been an absolute solider and has bought me the horses to compete . I am like a child in a sweet shop at the sales,’ he said with a broad smile.
Brooks-Club is a Mauritzfontein Stud bred son of Strike Smartly out of the four-time winning Fort Wood mare, Lady Brooke.
He has won 5 races with an extraordinary 18 places from his 32 starts, for stakes of R950 775.
Azzie would also have been pleased with the debut effort of Vercingetorix’ half-brother, Captain Coyote in the third race.
The R1 million son of Captain Al showed up smartly to run fourth and just 2,30 lengths behind the experienced 4yo Social Media. They went quite fast over the 1200m and he should be a different proposition next time with the experience under the belt.
His stablemate Sailabrate was backed into 18 to 10, but ran very green and finished two lengths behind him.
Derreck David has recently returned from Mauritius and looks to have benefitted with the experience. He should add plenty of value to the Azzie attack.
