Strydom in a class of his own
PREPARE for some more Formula 1-style champagne spraying on 20 December. That was the implied message from Act Of War, Joey Ramsden and even Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom after the Selangor Cup at Kenilworth on Saturday.
This was Strydom’s 5 000th winner and the son of Dynasty, starting at a prohibitive 6-10, enabled him to do it in style. His mount swept to the front 400m out and pulled away to beat stable companion Kingvoldt by over two lengths and score his fifth win in a row.
Strydom, garlanded in red roses and throwing tea shirts emblazoned ‘Striker 5 000’ to an army of fans, said: "He got me to the front a lot sooner than I wanted but he is so good that the rest died in front of him. He is a top horse."
And, most importantly, how does he compare with the Paul Lafferty-trained Harry's Son? Strydom, to his credit, didn't shirk the question and said: “I think he (Act Of War) is probably better."
Ramsden ,who famously sprayed breeder Anton Shepherd with bubbly when Variety Club won the Cape Guineas three years ago, said he could not compare the two because "they are two totally different types but Act Of War is a very special horse.
“He is even better if he is left alone but when you run a pacemaker (Cotton Hill) you have to ride him up there.
“Kingvoldt will probably also go for the Guineas. I wasn't surprised he ran so well because he is such a good horse. It's very frustrating because I can't find anything wrong except for the haemo-concentrating.’’
Third-placed Mljet will also be in the Grand Parade-sponsored line-up and Vaughan Marshall said: “This straight was too short for him, he came from last and they went too slowly.’’
However Generalissimo’s Guineas hopes died when his suspect stamina gave out a furlong from home with Sean Cormack reporting: “It was clear cut that he didn’t stay.’’
Sean Tarry watched the Selangor with professional fascination and 35 minutes later Zambezi River revealed the reason, with S’Manga Khumalo's mount getting the better of Brutal Force to take the rich Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes.
Tarry said: “Zambezi River is a top horse who can only improve and we are going to have a look at the Cape Guineas with him.’’
If there was a prize for the ride of the day Bernard Fayd'Herbe would surely have taken it.
The way he handled the runner-up was inspired. Not even Anton Marcus could have got a horse from gate 12 into a prime position so quickly as well as so relaxed and so effortlessly.
Markus Jooste, who also owns Act Of War, has really targeted the Lanzerac and he was rewarded with R1.4 million from the first two alone. It was fitting that he should share first prize with Cape Thoroughbred Sales chairman Chris van Niekerk because CTS and Lanzerac put a tremendous effort into the day and attracted a fine crowd. For good measure, CTS director Craig Carey and his sales manager wife Amanda bred Act Of War. Finally Darryl Hodgon , whose decision to bypass the Algoa Cup with Putney Flyer was rewarded with victory in the Kenilworth Cup, is now dreaming of Met day once more- not about Past Master four seasons ago but of the J& B Jet Stayers in two months' time.