Gavin And Striker Dominate At Turffontein

Doubles for De Kock and Tarry

Multiple champion trainer Mike de Kock saddled a double at Turffontein on Saturday and conceded that he can’t ride a bicycle at the age of 60. That said, the master conditioner was full of praise for Piere Strydom’s performance to win on Wolf Mountain.

“This was a great ride from Piere Strydom, who is still riding horses at 58. I can’t ride a bicycle at 60! It was a ride apprentices should be watching over and over. Also nice to train a winner by Buffalo Bill Cody, a good sire!” enthused De Kock, who shared the training honours on the day with Sean Tarry, who sadly lost his dear Mother earlier in the week.

Piere Strydom has Wolf Mountain in control as Trent Mayhew chases on Theres A Light (Pic- JC Photos)

The Strydom winner that caught De Kock’s eye was Wolf Mountain, who won the sixth in the silks of the ASSM Racing Syndicate, who are enjoying a great season.

Strydom said that the inside draw is ‘deadly’ on the inside track.

“It’s worth two to three lengths. We were there for nothing. Thanks for the good recent rides to ASSM. I was ready to retire before they came along.”

Strydom has ridden 15 winners this term, with a win strike-rate of 28,85%. This was his second consecutive Saturday treble!

Between them Striker  and Gavin Lerena have won the SA Jockey Championship title eight times and the duo dominated matters on Saturday, riding seven of the nine winners – the hard working Marco van Rensburg and log-leading Muzi Yeni the only other jockeys to earn a winner commission.

Gavin Lerena shows his delight with a high four! (Pic – JC Photos)

Lerena, who is a relative spring chicken at 39 years old, took his tally to 33 winners (25,6%) for the season, and is in second place behind Yeni. Lerena capped a genuine hat-trick when he won the third on the Fire Away filly Fireburst, the first of the De Kock double.

“She got a bump on the bend last time and lost her momentum. This was a good win, she is still weak and will make improvement.” A delighted De Kock said that the form of her last race worked out. “She is beautifully bred. Always lovely to train winners for friends.”

The Highveld Spring Season kicks into top gear this coming Saturday with the Gr2 double feature of the Betway Joburg Spring Challenge and the Betway Joburg Spring F&M Challenge.

R550 000 1450m (Turf)
JOBURG SPRING CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
22 Atticus Finch Alec Laird 112
2 Back In Business Joe Soma 106
3 Barbaresco J A Janse van Vuuren 120
4 Celtic Rumours Sean Tarry 106
19 Cousin Casey Sean Tarry 125
18 Dantonfromsandton Sean Tarry 108
17 Fire ‘N Flames Kobus Roux 96
16 Gimmeanotherchance Mike de Kock 119
8 Gladatorian Stuart Ferrie 120
14 Grand Crescendo Candice Dawson 114
9 Joker Man J A Janse van Vuuren 106
21 Let’s Go Now Sean Tarry 114
5 Litigation Sean Tarry 115
10 Main Defender Tony Peter 131
11 Melech Roy Magner 118
13 My Soul Mate Candice Dawson 111
15 Presley J A Janse van Vuuren 98
6 Purple Pitcher Robyn Klaasen 123
20 Truth Candice Dawson 110
23 Unzen Robbie Sage 116
1 Wild At War Candice Dawson 100
12 William Robertson Corne Spies 125
7 Zinovi Mike de Kock 114
(23)

If local star and defending champion Main Defender commences his campaign in this race, which he won by 6,50 lengths last year, he will have to do so without new pilot Muzi Yeni, who along with fellow SA jockeys Lyle Hewitson and Aldo Domeyer, will apparently be participating in the closing racemeeting of the Kranji racecourse in Singapore on the same day.

R450 000 1450m (Turf)
JOBURG SPRING F & M CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
18 Betula Stuart Pettigrew 95
2 Blue Horizon Weiho Marwing 89
14 Cape Lights Robbie Sage 93
3 Captain Peg Stuart Pettigrew 104
7 Celtic Rumours Sean Tarry 106
17 Exchange Student Candice Dawson 106
12 Fiery Pegasus Joe Soma 104
9 Frozen Fantasy Robyn Klaasen 102
8 Gimme A Shot M G Azzie/A A Azzie 110
11 Key Element Paul Matchett 101
15 Let’s Go Now Sean Tarry 114
13 Little Ballerina Candice Dawson 104
1 Miss Hannigan Fabian Habib 97
4 My Soul Mate Candice Dawson 111
10 None Other Lucky Houdalakis 111
6 Sea Anemone Mike de Kock 89
16 Soldier’s Eye Weiho Marwing 97
19 Vj’s Angel Tony Peter 111
5 White Pearl Mike de Kock 109
(19)
  • Declarations for both features are due by 11h00 on Tuesday 1 October.

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