Piere Strydom has been riding Rain In Holland in work in Cape Town and believes the Sean Tarry-trained superstar had been working “very nicely” ahead of the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes on January 7.
Strydom is also hoping the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist stays in Cape Town to race in the Grade 1 Cape Derby at the end of February.
The champion Duke Of Marmalade filly Rain In Holland has run disappointingly in her only two starts following a procedure to sort out an entrapped epiglottis.
However, the difference between her early preparation performances last season compared to her subsequent feature performances was like chalk and cheese and she is also much better suited to the stronger pace of Grade 1 races.
The Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroine should not be written off and it will be no surprise to see her bouncing back to her best in the Paddock Stakes.
Strydom will likely be ridding her as her regular feature pilot Richard Fourie will be aboard defending champion Captain’s Ransom.
Piere is hoping to stick with the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist and hopes this Gimmethegreenlight colt takes his place in the Grade 1 Cape Derby at the end of February.
He said that might be the day he hangs up his boots for good unless he becomes associated with a champion.
He said Money Heist had not helped him a lot in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas because he had not jumped well and was still learning to race. For example, he is still being intimidated by horses around him.
However, he said the fast pace and being able to sit behind the two big guns, Charles Dickens and Cousin Casey had helped.
Money Heist came from last and ran on well.
Meanwhile, Strydom’s original mount for the WSB R7.5 million Gold Rush, Typeset, might not be taking part.
He said she had picked up a little injury.
He has won on another eligible horse, the Hollywood Syndicate-owned Asiye Phambili, but added the field looked to be strong now with the like of Royal Aussie and Dave The King proving their class in the Cape Guineas.
Strydom was widely praised for another fine winning ride on the Justin Snaith-trained seven-year-old Dynasty gelding Nexus in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Higlands Peninsula Handicap on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day.
He said, “He seems to love me! Every way I ride him, whether its coming from the back or riding handy, works out.”
Strydom rides him again in the Grade 2 Premier Trophy over 1800m on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day, but admitted it looked to to be a strong field and he looked to have a tough task at the weights.
Meanwhile, Piere’s air B&B in Cape Town was due to open on Saturday and he hoped this would become a venue for racing story-swapping in the future, especially at the time of big Cape Town racing events when plenty of people fly into the mother city.
