Piere Strydom will not be hanging up his riding boots after the last race on WSB Met day.
He said he was still associated with the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist ahead of the Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas on February 4.
He added, “Also, Joe Soma and I have just started chapter 34!”
He revealed he had been hired and fired so often by Joe Soma they always joked between them about the next chapter.
Their latest partnership has already been fruitful as Piere rode a winner for Joe both on Tuesday and today, aboard Lady Of Power and Brave Viking respectively.
Chapter 34 so far includes just three rides for two wins and a 0,60 length second on Positive Attitude.
Piere said he might well get the ride on Lady Of Power, who is highly regarded by Soma, in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.
Piere has been staying in Johannesburg, but has been in constant communication with the Ricky Maingard yard, who have kept him in the loop about the well-being of his Met ride Al Muthana.
He said, “They say he is as good as he was before the King’s Plate.”
He summed up his prospects, “He has beaten some of the most fancied horses in the race and has the highest merit rating, so it is just a question of whether he stays.”
Some say the Met is one 2000m wfa race that can be won by a miler, but Piere responded to that point by saying, “To me 2000m is still 2000m.”
Riding the horse conservatively would have its problems.
He said, “It is going to be tough for the backmarkers. In these big races with big fields you can get shuffled back when not wanting to be. Jockeys are pushing and you are sometimes forced to give up a spot. Coming from the back in an eight horse field is different to coming from the back in a big, top quality field. If you turn for home last in the latter you could have 15, 16 or 17 lengths to make up.”
However, he said Ricky Maingard had been devising a plan.
“Ricky has a plan and I am awaiting instructions from him,” he said.
Piere said he had been swinging towards Kommetdieding as the horse to beat.
He elaborated, “I think he is just more effective over 2000m than Jet Dark.”
He added, “The filly (Make It Snappy) has a light weight and can go to the front. The way she keeps on rolling and pulls away from them shows that she is obviously a proper galloper.”
Piere has had a Grade 1 win for Maingard before, scoring on Young Harvest (Hard Up) in the Golden Spur (Golden Horse Sprint) in 1995.
Piere rides Itsrainingwilliam in the R7.5 million WSB Gold Rush.
It augurs well that this William Longsword gelding steps up in trip because he is a half-brother to Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroine Rain In Holland. However, he said he was apparently a difficult ride, which, he added, was a bit concerning.
He has three other rides on the day and should have a fair chance on Gimme More Time in the fifth as this horse was a touch unlucky last time over this 1400m course and distance and is drawn well off just a two point higher mark.
On just how long he is still going to ride for “The Blonde Bomber” quipped, “Maybe when I find a grey hair I will retire!”
