Striker’s winning move

Piere Strydom, who has his second wind (or third, or fourth maybe), is riding superbly, started a three-month contract for the ASSM Syndicate and they kicked off with a double at Turffontein on Saturday.

The second winner was Zinovi, from Mike de Kock’s stable, who won going away under a well-judged and hands-and-heels masterclass from the ‘blond bomber’, who has delighted racing fans here and abroad with his world-class talents for the last 40 years.

ASSM’s Arun Chadha enyoyed this win. Zinovi was the first winner for his sire Heavenly Blue in April 2023, ASSM is invested in the sire and Zinovi is showing the benefits of a recent, successful wind operation. He agreed with interviewer Johnny G that Strydom’s early move from a wide draw was the winning move.

Strydom felt the same too, and said: “I thought he would need one more run but he was fit. I could track Aussenkehr and follow his every move. Zinovi won well. He’s a nice horse.”