Strike it rich with Strydom
FATE: HAS CONSPIRED AGAINST MANY OF OUR TOP JOCKEYS THIS YEAR
Inside track at Turffontein today is running very fast and must be taken into account.
Hearing about MJ Byleveld having to have a neck operation on Friday made me think about the dangers of our profession, and the high number of prominent jockeys who have fallen victim to serious injury this year.
Thankfully I myself am fully recovered after inadvertently discovering in May that I had a fractured neck vertebra after a fall. The x-rays picked up the problem, which was lucky as it could have flared up again later.
I have been riding for 37 years, and at my age (52) wear and tear comes into it, and old injuries can recur and catch up with you. It’s a battle to stay pain free but I am managing at the moment.
Bad falls happen and often you walk away, but this year fate seems to have been against us. A number of injuries have resulted in long term layoffs for the likes of Anthony Delpech, Gunter Wrogemann, Gavin Lerena, Anton Marcus and Lyle Hewitson. Fortunately the last three are all back in the saddle now.
When you start riding in races at a young age, you are often not in full control, and of course if horses knew their true strength we would never be in control.
The starting stalls are always a source of danger. The horses generally don’t want to be there and with that amount of power in a confined space, things can get serious very quickly.
As you get more experienced you learn to recognize potentially hazardous situations and how to avoid them. As I’ve said before, a race is like a puzzle, we all find our slots soon after the start.
Often the pace being slowed up front leads to trouble. There is a much greater chance of clipping heels, and severe interference due to horses being forced to ease and switch.
Other times you get serious incidents caused by equipment breaking. There’s very little you can do about this apart from checking your gear regularly.
Of course, like in any other sport, injuries are part and parcel of the experience. You have to learn to deal with the disappointment and come back as strong as before once you have recovered.
We race on the inside track at Turffontein today and, as always, the draws are important. The track is running very fast, which is something which needs to be taken into account.
Races 1 and 2 are both Maiden Handicaps, which makes it much harder to predict than a standard maiden. My selection in the first is based partly on the draw. My first choice would be Power Of Place, with the dangers being Pelican Bay and Awakening, but both have shocking draws.
I am riding Money Matters for the Azzies. He has a good draw and 1800 was too far last time. He can be competitive carrying 56.5kg.
Race 2 is a Fillies Maiden Handicap, and also a tricky one, but my selection would be Andiamo followed by Favourite Model and Kindavar in that order.
Race 3 is a FM89 handicap where some classy young fillies take on their elders. Vivir showed impressive acceleration and won with ease last time. With 2.5kg off, she is the one to beat. Fellow three-year-olds Free And Easy and Mazari look dangers, as does top weight Desert Rhythm, who is the pick of the older brigade. Go with Vivir and Desert Rhythm in the PA.
Race 4 is an Assessment Plate, where I am going for the only two females against the colts. Forest Express is narrowly best handicapped and definitely the one to beat but comes off a rest. She could be a PA and Pick 6 banker, but I would also consider Royal Utopia, who loves this course.
Race 5 is a MR87 over 2000m, and despite 60kg, Secret Captain is my selection, and could be a PA banker. For the Pick 6 I would also include The Rising Legend and American Indian. I am on Royal Honour for Paul Matchett. He has his second run after six months off and is prepping for some of the staying races coming up but I am hoping for the best.
Race 6 is a low level Fillies Handicap. Usually these are minefields but in this case Penny From Heaven looks tough to beat. She will be better over the 1600, has a good draw, and has a good 2.5kg claimer. In addition she is down in class, and her Merit Rating has dropped so everything is in her favour. She looks a PA banker for sure and possibly for the Pick 6. Possible dangers are Flowing Gown and Elegancia.
Race 7 is a more traditional wide open Fillies Handicap, and I would include as many as your budget allows in the Pick 6. For the PA I would factor in all of Ancient Spirit, Generous Notion and Lunar Dancer. I am on River Ayre. She has fair form in weak company and the 1 draw is a huge advantage. She has a shout.
In Race 8 I ride the classy filly Rose In Bloom for Joey Ramsden. She is best handicapped in this Assessment Plate and if fit and ready could be a banker, but she has bigger races ahead and may need it after three months off. Ghaalla and Rings And Things are the others that stand out, and I would include all three in both the PA and Pick 6.
Race 9 is a Handicap, and Pietro Mascagni would be my first choice on ability, but has been off since March. I would back him up with Count Tassilo and Daffiq in the exotics. I rode Daffiq last time. He needed it and tired late, but if he has come on from that could pop up at good odds.
I am riding Dan The Lad. He is fit and consistent, and I am hoping for a good effort.
Best Bet: Race 6, Number 3 Penny From Heaven.
Value Bet: Race 9, Number 4 Daffiq.