Strydom wins the double on Derby Day
The third leg of the Triple Crown, SA Derby, and Triple Tiara, SA Oaks, took place on March 30 at Turffontein Racecourse.
PIERE Strydom made it a straight double on South African Derby Day winning both the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks and Grade 1 SA Derby.
The third leg of the Triple Crown, SA Derby, and Triple Tiara, SA Oaks, took place on March 30 at Turffontein Racecourse.
Much to the consternation of many pundits alongside the track, Hawwaam was scratched from the Grade 1 SA Derby. The drama started in the ringside where some bolting occurs and Hawwaam took to the track and ran loose to the starting stalls.
He was then inspected by a veterinary surgeon and was scratched. According to Mike de Kock (junior) and assistant trainer, “It was a good decision to scratched him and he will fight another day. The son of Silvano had been spooked when a jockey tumbled from another horse nearby in the parade ring.”
In the meantime Strydom, who hails from Alberton and just manage a good win during the Grade 2 Wilgebosdrift SA Oaks when he pulled Return Flight through to finish ahead of the field, snatched up his second straight win on Samurai Warrior.
Strydom took Samurai Warrior to the front in the 2 450m Grade 1 race but the drama continued on the day as towards the finishing stages some bumping took place between the front runners. A review was called, but the result stood fast and veteran jockey Strydom notched up a big double on race day.
Strydom showed his class as a champion jockey and he pulled from his experience gained over the years to get full honours in these two big races of the SA Derby. “I was wondering when I’d ride my next winner when I arrived today. Never thinking it would be a Gr2 (Return Flight) then a Gr1.”
Zillzaal was second, Marchingontogether third and Atyaab fourth and the rest of the field to follow some four lengths behind.
Strydom also steered Return Flight to a close win in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks 2 450m Grade 2 race for trainer Sean Tarry and owner Chris van Niekerk.
She won the race for three year old fillies on top of her win in the Grade 1 1800m SA Fillies Classic which was the second leg of the Triple Tiara. She did not compete in the first leg.
Return Flight finished 1.80 lengths ahead of Blossom in second, while Seville Orange held on for third to the finishing line.
