Que Ceu Azul powers through late to get up (JC Photos)
Piere Strydom only had one ride at the Vaal today and it might well be nominated for the Emperor’s Palace Ride Of The Month award.
The Joe Soma-trained Querari filly Que Ceu Azul had moderate recent form until ridden by Strydom on March 19 over 1400m at the Vaal straight course and finishing second. He rode her again in her next start from a wide draw over the Vaal Classic track 1450m and she was well beaten and unplaced.
However, today the blinkers were taken off on Striker’s advice.
He revealed she had taken a hold in both of those two last starts and when finishing second (beaten five lengths) she had wanted to take off too early.
She was backed in from 8/1 to 9/2 joint second favourite today, with the factor of Strydom traveling for just one ride probably being one of the attractive points for punters.
The removal of the blinkers firstly allowed Striker to drop her back from draw four and claim the far rail, which is the right place to be when the outside rail on the Vaal main course is brought in.
She was then able to gallop in a nice and relaxed manner.
Striker bided his time all the way until about the 450m mark and she found all the way to the line to get up by a quarter of a length.
The on course skills were faultless, but it was also the off course behind the scenes input that added to it being a fine peformance and possibly worthy at this stage of an Emperor’s Palace Ride Of THe Month nomination.
