However, many punters will be wishing that Strydom was riding rather than watching as they face a very difficult card.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 could prove to be a toss-up between Royalsecuritybaby and Sluice Gate although the betting indicates a wide open race with the former a weak 5-2 favourite. Prolific owner Roy Moodley has been having an extend run of good fortune with winners coming thick and fast. The Moodley-owned Royalsecuritybaby was a winner two runs back from a wide draw over the course and distance and followed up with a fast-finishing second last time out. A repeat showing should at least see her in the money.

Sluice Gate tried to make all the running when fitted with blinkers and now gets the benefit of a 2,5kg claimer in Callan Murray and could keep going this time round.

Roy’s Royalty, another Moodley-owned runner, returns from a break and drops back in trip so may just need it. However, she was in good form before the break.

Paree and Stirling Leaves are vying for favouritism in the fifth with the former at the top of the boards. The Mike de Kock-trained filly made marked improvement on a modest debut when coming from the clouds to shed her maiden and she looks to be on the up.

Weiho Marwing is starting to step out runners after his recent move to Ashburton with Isobar his first winner since his move. Stirling Leaves was touched off in her last Turffontein start and was never far back. These two look set to fight it out.

Frank Robinson has had good success on the poly and he saddles Burmudabreeze in the sixth. The five-year-old has taken a new lease on life since being sent on the synthetic surface and it obviously agrees with his aging legs. His best form is over 1000m but he does have a plum draw.

Doug Campbell is another trainer whose runners have taken to the poly and Harry Peppa has finished in the money in all three starts on the surface. He tried hard behind the well fancied Al Ciberano in an apprentice handicap last run and looks to have a fair chance here.

Recent maiden winner Snowman is a weak 4-1 favourite for the sixth where a host of runners look to have strong winning chances. Snowman looks to be a nice gelding in the making but he does take on some salted opposition. Samhaan, when good is very good, when bad is very bad, so is a runner than cannot be left out with any comfort. Silver Spring is back from a break but is useful while stable companion Buffalo Bill was touched off last time out. One can make a case for almost all 10 runners so not a race to go light in, in the exotics.

Nisa’s Love is another weak favourite in the eighth but she has gone well on the poly and should be right there. Artistically Done is a tough old mare who is another that has taken to the poly and got up late to win her latest. Oi Yoi Yoi can improve on her last effort while recent maiden winner Secret Admirer is not without a chance.

Ahlaam and Tigress Poem look the most likely to fight out the last. Ahlaam improved last run when tried in blinkers while Tigress Poem has failed narrowly at her last two and is due a change of fortune.