Clappers to sound for Kyle

Apprentice Kyle Strydom has had a decent enough start to the new season. Although based in Port Elizabeth the son of trainer Jacques Strydom and nephew of six-time champion jockey Piere has been travelling around the country and has picked up some nice rides for trainer Duncan Howells in KwaZulu-Natal.

Finding a best bet on today’s card on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville is no easy task but the Strydom and Howells combination could do just that in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, with Liketheclappers. The four-yearold son of Pomodoro has only raced three times, finishing unplaced in a sprint on debut on the turf track and following up with two third places over 1700m and 2000m respectively when switching to the Polytrack.

He suffered some interference last time when 4.90 lengths behind National Dream but did falter over the final 200m and the drop to 1800m should be right up his street.

Strydom knows him well enough as he has ridden him in both his races on the Polytrack.

The best value proposition looks to be Exceeder in Race 7, a MR 74 Handicap over 1900m. Exceeder did have Cyber Time 3.50 lengths ahead of him when they raced at Scottsville last time but it was his first run for trainer Dean Kannemeyer and he was probably in need of the outing, his first in KwaZuluNatal following a 53-day break.

He could make dramatic improvement on the Polytrack as his turf form is decent enough as he has finished up close to well-regarded horses like Over To You and Gold Cup third-placed Rex Union.

Kannemeyer has a knack knowing which horses will take to the surface as he has had loads of success in that regard.

Keagan de Melo rides.