Strike it rich with Strydom
TRACK: WET COURSE WILL FAVOUR HORSES WHO HAVE BEEN RACING REGULARLY
Cape Infanta could provide good value for punters.
Racing on the Highveld has been affected by all the rain but the country needs it so we have to bite the bullet and live with it. From a jockey’s point of view you obviously hope your horses handles the wet track and there are numerous reasons why some do prefer a softer track. A horse who is strong with a climbing action tends to thrive on it.
The other factor that comes into play is the fitness. With a soft track your horses feet go deeper into the ground, the grass is longer and deeper and is quite stamina sapping. Another issue is when you get rain through the week some horses do not get enough work into them and that is why horses who have raced will benefit. However, horses who are talented and have lots of ability, can often overcome all the obstacles. The other issue is the tracks become more biased when rain affected as opposed to when tracks are firm and there is not much of a variance.
Over the next couple of weeks we have some important features coming up so hopefully the trainers will be able to have their horses fit for the big meetings.
Racing today is on the Classic track at the Vaal and fortunately it is in excellent condition so it should stand up to the adverse conditions.
Hopefully we will have a false rail erected as often there are many hard luck stories. I regularly get people telling me that many overseas racetracks don’t have false rails but yet in South Africa we moan quite a bit that we don’t get a clear run. However, in other countries like Hong Kong and Mauritius, the straights are short and by the time you hit the bend the jockeys have already started to move wide to get an outside run. In addition, the sharpness of the bend automatically takes you out, which makes space.
In South Africa, if you want to make an early move, even without a false rail, you can’t do it because you have such a long way to go that you will get all the criticism in the world. Therefore we’re in a Catch 22 situation where you know you want to come out for a run but if you do and then get caught, you will be nailed for riding a shocking race. That’s why I can’t state enough how come, with our tracks, we should have a false rail and eliminate hard-luck stories.
I’m going to do my selections for today’s meeting based on form and fitness but I can’t guarantee who will enjoy the soft track
Race 1 is a work riders’ race over 1450m which means the start is close to the first bend and therefore a good draw plays a vital part. The two main runners are Kick Butt and Quick Glimpse.
Race 2 is another Maiden Plate over 1450m and my first selection is Ready To Strike who on form has the field beaten. He could quite easily be a BiPot banker. His danger is What A Story but the horse who could enjoy this track, especially from draw No 1, is Leslies Pathtofame. He could quite easily have the run of the race.
I ride Mr Tinsel who could find the opposition a bit tough but he has a good draw and is racing fit.
Race 3 is the first leg of the Place Accumulator and you can banker Opera in a small field. She’s better off at the weights with Amajory, taking the apprentice allowance into account. The same applies to Carmalita. For that reason I have made her a banker.
Race 4 is a Pinnacle Stakes for fillies and mares and Nother Russia comes out as the best handicapped runner. Next best are Sylvan Star and my ride, Gimme Six. Therefore it is hard to make a selection but if they had to run to form Nother Russia is the one to beat. For the PA go with Nother Russia but we are not sure about her fitness so Secret Star, who has had a run, may have benefitted from her last run and be the fittest of the lot.
For the Pick 6 include all four mentioned and add Kilauea who we know is fit.
Race 5 is a handicap over 1200m where we jump away right on the turn. Therefore The Tin Man, with No 1 draw, must be the horse to beat. Unfortunately he often makes a respiratory noise so back him up in the PA with Starcraft Prince who is drawn No 2.
Other inclusions for the Pick 6 are Shortstop, Thewaywemakem and two other horses, despite the wide draws, who might have chances – Barbel Run, and Varimax.
I ride Casciano who has a good draw but unfortunately is well held on recent runs.
Race 6 is another handicap for fillies and mares and Cape Infanta looks a PA and Pick 6 banker. I rode her last time over 1800m and she seemed to just fade at the end and therefore dropping to 1600m, having a good draw and being racing fit, she could prove a hard horse to beat.
Race 7 is another fillies’ handicap where Sammi Moosa and Aldebaran should be good enough for the PA. For the Pick 6 include Black Cashmere, who is dropping in the merit ratings and also has a 4kg claimer up.
Race 8 is another handicap with the best-form horses being Defy Gravity, Yer-maan and Gentleman Only. For the PA pick any two of these and maybe include Nightwatchman, who won at his second start and could have some improvement still to come. Put all of them in the Pick 6.
I’m riding Inn A Million who found 2850m too far last time and I’m hoping for some improvement.
Race 9 is another fillies’ handicap and it is quite open. For the Pick 6 the field looks the way to go. For the PA include Piccadilly Square, Barbie Doll, and my ride, Golddust Woman, who could benefit from a slightly better draw after having some shocking draws up to now.