Piere Strydom was yesterday handed a 90 day suspension by the National Horseracing Authority for the error of judgement he made when riding Dublin Rebel in race 3 at Turffontein on  August 27, which cost the horse almost certain victory, although forty of the days have been suspended.

The legendary 5000-winner jockey has the right to appeal against the penalty imposed and said yesterday (Wednesday), “I have seven days in which to appeal but am still in two minds whether to do so, so will take a couple of days to decide.”

Strydom is riding at The Vaal today (Thursday) and if he takes the suspension from after the meeting onward, he will be back in time for the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile racemeeting at Turffontein on October 31.

A press release was sent out by the NHA after the inquiry in Johannesburg yesterday.

It stated:

Inquiry – Jockey Piere Strydom

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on Wednesday 9 September 2015, Jockey Piere Strydom was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 in that he failed to ride the horse DUBLIN REBEL out to the end of Race 3, run at the Turffontein Racecourse on 27 August 2015, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining first place.

Jockey Strydom pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Strydom guilty and imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of ninety days, of which forty days are wholly suspended for a period of two years, provided that during the period of suspension he is not convicted of a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 prejudicing his chances of finishing in the first, second or third position.

Jockey Strydom has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.

– David Thiselton

A potential field for North America’s richest race, the $5 million Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, is shaping up now almost two months out from October 31.

Contenders are still chasing American Pharoah in leading into it, with the Triple Crown winner again topping the latest NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Association) Top Thoroughbred Poll released on Tuesday.

Mare Beholder (Pacific Classic), Honor Code (Whitney) and Liam’s Map (Woodward) follow American Pharoah off their own major Grade I wins. Others who could go in the Classic, Keen Ice and Tonalist, rank seventh and tenth, respectively, this week.

Shared Belief remains in the top 10 but continues recovering from a hip injury and isn’t expected to be ready in time for the Breeders’ Cup.

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll (first-place votes)

1. American Pharoah (28)
2. Beholder (1)
3. Honor Code (2)
4. Liam’s Map
5. Private Zone
6. Shared Belief
7. Keen Ice
8. Lady Eli
9. Flintshire
10. Tonalist

Others receiving votes: The Pizza Man (31), California Chrome (19), Sheer Drama (17), Frosted (15), Big Blue Kitten (9), Cavorting (6), Songbird (5), Stellar Wind (5), Wicked Strong (5), Ironicus (4), Lovely Maria (4), Big John B (3), Coach Inge (2), Dortmund (2), Nyquist (2), Rachel’s Valentina (2), Rock Fall (2), Tiz Shea D (2), Catch A Flight (1), Hard Not To Like (1), Runhappy (1), Wise Dan (1).

The Courier-Journal‎.com

Picture: American Pharoah

Mubtaahij has arrived in Dubai and will spend a few days in quarantine before his return to his stable at his official “home”, Mike de Kock’s Blue Stables at Meydan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s colt enjoyed a refreshing spell of rest at Newmarket, UK, after his exploits in the US and was shipped back to the UAE last Sunday.

De Kock commented about the yard’s Dubai World Cup prospect: “Mubtaahij is very well off for his break and after he’s settled in at Blue Stables we’ll start his preparation for the 2016 Dubai Carnival.”

Meanwhile Mubtaahij’s US form to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah continues to hold up. It was well franked again in the recent Travers Stakes (G1, 2000m at Saratoga), when Keen Ice (3/4-lengths ahead of Mubtaahij in the Kentucky Derby over 2000m and only a neck ahead of him in the Belmont Stakes over 2400m), lowered superstar American Pharoah’s colours – three-quarters in it.

American Pharoah will continue his racing career, with the Breeders’Cup Classic (G1) as his ultimate target. After his defeat to Keen Ice on 29 August, owner Ahmed Zayat talked about retiring the colt, but he tweeted a few days later, “I have decided to continue to race American Pharoah! The champ deserves another chance!”

In a subsequent statement, Zayat explained, “I have discussed all aspects of American Pharoah’s race last race and his condition since the race with our whole team, and have decide he deserves another chance, so we are pointing to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”

          – Mikedekockracing.com – extracts from TDN

  Picture: Mubtaahij (Liesl King)

The Vaal stages an eight race meeting on the sand tomorrow (Thursday) and punters who have done their homework could once again be rewarded on a track that usually produces an upset result or two.

In the first race, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, Tripadvisor and River Empress have both had breathing issues and will wear tongue ties, but have very little to beat. River Empress has done quite well in her last two starts on the sand over 1000m and 1200m and is drawn well with Piere Strydom up and the form of her last start has been franked so she is tipped to win. Tripadvisor has quite strong turf form and being by Trippi she is likely to love the sand. She is drawn in pole position from where she can use her good early pace and Gavin Lerena rides, but she did make a severe breathing noise last time, which is a concern. Narnia has tied up in her last two starts, both behind good sorts in KZN, and if her muscular problems are behind her she could surprise.

The second over 1000m is one of four interesting Pinnacle Stakes events on the day that have attracted good horses. However, this one looks to be at the mercy of Trip Tease, who is 5,5kg better off with any other horse on official merit ratings. Furthermore, in eight starts over course and distance this Trippi gelding has won seven of them. His stablemate Varbration won the Flamingo Sprint over this trip, where he showed his liking for this sort of surface, and is second best in at the weights, so could follow him home. Another stablemate Wishful Heart is a progressive sort who caught the eye when winning over course and distance last time out. Will Pays has shown glimpses of class so could be better than his merit rating suggests and he could surprise. Duty Dance is having his first start on sand but has an ideal pedigree for this surface so is another dark horse.

The third is a Pinnacle Stakes race for fillies and mares over 1000m. The Lucky Houdalakis yard are in devastating form and Drifting Dusk bounced back with a convincing win over 1160m on the turf last time out. On pedigree she should take to the sand well and Piere Strydom has kept the ride, which speaks volumes.  Twilight Tiger has a good record over course and distance and meets Drifting Dusk on the same terms as she would in a handicap. Sarve is the best in at the weights and if bouncing back from a below par run last time when cut into she will be right there over a course and distance she enjoys. Jade Vine is second best in at the weights and will have benefitted from her last run, but she would likely prefer a touch further. Miss December is an improving sort who is course and distance suited and weighted to finish level with Twilight Tiger and Drifting Dusk but the number one draw is not ideal by trends.

The fourth race is a Maiden Plate over 1800m and the Mike de Kock-trained Mooghamir will be hard to beat over a trip he will relish. Il Duce is likely to improve over this trip and could chase the selection home. Yours And Mine has shown the odd glimpse of ability and could be s surprise place earner over a course and distance he could well enjoy.

The fifth is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1450m in which many of the R1 million Supreme Cup entries will be having preparation runs. The De Kock-trained Capricorn Ridge is under sufferance but caught the eye last time when unlucky in the Flamingo Mile and from pole position draw he could surprise.  Stablemate Alghadeer looks to be the yard elect but jumps from a wide draw and this trip could be a touch on the sharp side, although he is sure to be finishing strongly. Another stablemate Mootahadee is having his third run after a rest and will appreciate the step up in trip, so could be dangerous. Olympic Bolt could make it a De Kock quartet as he is in fine form, although he would prefer a touch further. Raise The Red is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance but returns from a long layoff for the in-form Houdalakis yard.

The sixth is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1450m for fillies and mares and De Kock could be in the winner’s enclosure again with Ahlaam, who is interesting over this step down in trip having blitzed them over 1600m in her penultimate start. She seems to always do well against her own gender and Anthony Delpech is up from a good draw. Peep Show should be improving being by Ideal World and should be finishing strongly from a fair draw with Strydom up. Lady Of Kildare has won three in a row on the Greyville poly off her lower turf rating. However, she enjoys this course and distance too and could earn again.

The seventh is a MR68  Handicap over 1450m and Diesel Power disappointed over 1800m last time and will likely appreciate the step down in trip so he could present good value from a good draw off a lowered merit rating. Celtic King is potentially well handicapped having bounced back to form and winning twice on the turf meaning his sand rating is now eight points lower than his turf rating. He is drawn well over a suitable course and distance. Angel Gabriel did well last time when attempting to steal it over course and distance and he has the same draw and runs off the same merit rating.

The last is a MR68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m and Imperial Empress could follow up on her facile recent win here over 1800m as she is now drawn at the opposite extreme in pole. Bellevue won a weak maiden easily over 1800m on the sand last time and could earn again off a merit rating of only 62. Final Score stays well and could plug on for a place.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Gavin Lerena

Red Flame, fourth in the Klawervlei Majorca, Tibouchina and Poinsettia plus runner-up in the Prix du Cap, will race in-foal for the first few months of the season.

Neill Bruss said: “She hurt herself in her last start (the Garden Province) but she is fine again now and she was covered by Duke Of Marmalade last week. As soon as we see evidence of a heartbeat in the foal she will go back into training and race on.”

It is less common for mares to race when in foal in South Africa than in many countries in Europe where they can become key players in the punters’ armoury as they often show dramatic improvement. Vets are unsure exactly why this is but usually attribute it to hormones settling down.

Meanwhile, Chris Puller, forced to give up his rides last week and go for a scan on his neck and shoulders, aims to be back on Saturday week.

He said: “There was a bit of inflammation on a disc and I was given a cortisone shot. I have to do a week or two of physio and then I will be OK again.

“There was pressure on a nerve, basically wear and tear for a jockey with falls and the position you ride in. The disc gets slightly inflamed and the inflammation pushes on the nerve sending the pain from your neck to your arm. I am happy with the outcome and my first meeting back will be Durbanville on the 19^th.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Red Flame (Nkosi Hlophe)