Strydom's final 'strike'

PIERE "Striker Strydom has his last ever professional ride at the Vaal Classic track's nine race meeting today and he could well go out with a bang as he will be aboard the hard-knocking favourite, the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained What A Winter filly Summer Winter.

- DAVID THISELTON

Summer Winter

The MR 72 Handicap race for fillies and mares over 1000m will be contested by nine horses and three-year-old Summer Winter has to carry top-weight of 61kg off a 79 merit rating and also possibly against her will be a draw of four over a course and distance in which high draws are often favoured. A positive is that as Piere is a heavyweight rider she will not be carrying much deadweight.

Summer Winter won her maiden in her penultimate start over 1000m at Turffontein Standside by 6,50 lengths and in the three races over that same trip on the day hers was the fastest.

Her first run out of the maidens was on Hollywoodbets Durban July day over 1000m on the poly, a day in which the fields are always strong, and she ran a cracking 1,40 length third.

The form has worked out well with a winner and a second having come out of the race. The main danger could be the British-bred Deal Maker, who finished a 5,20 length second on debut and the form has not worked out badly.

She should improve and she has a nice high draw too. Gaelic Dancer is in good form and should be thereabouts.

Time For Charity is capable of popping up into the places. Predatrice could also be in the shake up if repeating her last start.

The highest rated race of the day is the 6th, a MR 97 handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m.

Hong Kong has always been highly regarded and improved last time when stepped up to 1600m. She should also enjoy 1450m from draw two.