Widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest riders of all time, boasting the most wins in South Africa’s racing history, Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom remains a master of his craft – even at the age of 58.
The veteran ‘Blonde Bomber’ has, from limited rides this season, continued to impress in the saddle and the six-time national champion has put plans of retirement on hold, at least for the time being, eyeing a record-equalling fifth Durban July victory aboard Michael Roberts-trained See It Again this winter.
From five rides at the Vaal last Thursday, Strydom was at his brilliant best aboard Whorly Whorly, who he rode to victory in Race 8, having already ridden a second, a third and a fourth earlier at the meeting.
Midweek racing returns to the Vereeniging-based track for an eight-race card on Thursday 16 May and history could repeat itself, as ‘Striker’ is engaged to partner Clinton Binda-trained Whorly Whorly in the lucky last over 1400m, the same track and trip over which he won seven days prior.
This nine-year-old Great Britain gelding has been a soldier for Binda’s stable, winning 14 of his 85 starts – to go with 22 places – and earning more than R1,1 million. Whorly Whorly has won five of 13 outings under Strydom and shown a particular liking for the Vaal’s straight 1400m layout, boasting five wins and two seconds from nine course-and-distance appearances.
Given that recent success, for which he will carry a penalty and a revised weight, Whorly Whorly’s participation may be in doubt. It is, however, worth noting that Binda is no stranger to keeping his horses on the boil and turning them out soon after a previous outing, so it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that veterans Strydom and Whorly Whorly reunite in Race 8. If they do, bet on them to win!
‘Striker’ teams up with South Africa’s most successful trainer, Mike de Kock, in Race 3 over 1000m to ride promising two-year-old colt Wolf Mountain who finished a close-up second on debut over the same distance under Richard Fourie on Turffontein’s Inside track a fortnight ago. And this son of Buffalo Bill Cody, who was formerly trained by De Kock, would have come on appreciably with the benefit of that experience so should improve to go one better.
Wolf Mountain was beaten just 0.60-lengths by a well-bred, highly regarded youngster but finished more than six lengths ahead of the third-place finisher, so need only repeat that performance to strike under ‘Striker’ in Leg 1 of the Pick 6. He’s a confident banker.
Elsewhere on the card, Sean Tarry-trained Rodeo Drive is also good value to break her duck in Race 2 over 1000m, having finished second in both starts – under Calvin Habib and Kabelo Matsunyane. Craig Zackey rides this two-year-old filly by The United States and should deliver the goods for favourite-backers.
Gavin Lerena, who rode three winners at last week’s meeting, is bound to enjoy a double on the card with Dragon Dragon (Race 4) and Fushimi Inari (Race 7) the pick of his two rides.
Clive Robinson
