Strydom, who left his homeland only weeks ago, teamed up with former SA Gr1 trainer and now Newmarket resident Dylan Cunha who is the father of the rider’s girlfriend Emily, for his breakthrough win having recently joined Roger Varian.

Jacques Strydom is the last Eastern Cape trainer to win the Algoa Cup, back in 2009 with Surfin’ USA.

Piere Strydom and Warren Kennedy are two of the most recent that spring to mind. On Sunday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville we saw another talented young man with a really bright future register his career first double. Pencil the name Kyle Strydom in.

The Sporting Post was contacted this morning by various local stakeholders, including leading owners, who have confirmed that they are seriously reconsidering their support of Eastern Cape Racing in view of the ‘ongoing lack of professionalism’.

A drop in distance to 2200m and a switch to the polytrack. Jacques Strydom  and the Kruger family, new trainer and owners of the Querari gelding Desert Wisdom, must have believed the R110 000 Lakeside Handicap was theirs for the taking after rain caused a disruption to the scheduled programme at Fairview on Friday.

He is quick to defend any comparison between the SA Triple Crown of a fortnight ago and the local version. “Firstly, I’m much better looking than the Azzman and I’m probably in better shape too!” he quips, slapping himself on the belly.