RICH Strike hasn’t been the easiest of horses to follow, but since being equipped with blinkers he’s raced four times for two wins, including a game success in the Grade 3 Christmas Handicap over 1600m at Clairwood on Sunday.

Overall, Rich Strike’s form shows 13 runs for 4 wins and that’s not bad at all. He’s versatile, having won from 1450m to 1950m and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum will be looking forward to a few more wins in 2011 for the son of Strike Smartly.

“He’s effective from a mile up to 1800 or 1900m,” said jockey Anthony Delpech, who thanked assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen for putting him on Rich Strike. “I was in two minds whether to go for Safwan or Rich Strike, especially since this us the day after Christmas and I had to ride at 525kg!”

“He had the draw and his low weight in his favour today,” commented Kotzen.

Photo: Rich Strike (Delpech) ran on strongly to get the better of a game Royal Rocker (Jessurick Jordaan).