Tarry Yard Enjoy A Spring Double At Turffontein
Ombudsman
Sean Tarry Racing had a good day at Turffontein on Saturday, with the stable sending out Ombudsman to win the third and the flashy grey Willow Express to win the eighth and penultimate race on the card.
It was a 100% strike rate for the Tarry team, with Ombudsman and Willow Express the yard's sole runners on Saturday.
Both horses were ridden by Piere Strydom, with "Striker" booting home a treble at Turffontein.
Three-year-old Ombudsman, stepping up in trip to 1600m on Saturday, was given a perfectly judged ride by Piere. Strydom, who put 1kgs overweight, bought the Flower Alley gelding with a strong run down the inside, which saw Ombudsman get up in the shadow of the post to score by a long neck.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Ombudsman races for the ASSM Racing Syndicate.
The durable seven-year-old Willow Express, a son of Sean's former star charge Willow Magic, was dropped out to the back after the field early on Saturday's Dr Ashley Parker MR 80 Handicap (1600m).
His inform rider bought the gelding with a sustained late run, which saw Willow Express split runners close home and win going away by three parts of a length. Piere is unbeaten on Willow Express, having ridden the gelding twice for two wins.
Bred by Stone Hill Stud, Willow Express races for Messrs A Lahoud, M A Currie, Craig Zoghby & Sean Tarry Racing (Pty) Ltd.
Now a seven-time winner, Willow Express is out of the winning Western Winter mare Delmonica.