Piere Strydom put his reputation on the line as a world-class rider once again in the Durban July, only to encounter interference in the later stages of the race. However, this was not the case in the Garden Province Stakes, the Premier Fillies Mile Gr1 in KZN, where he delivered a finish for the ages to win the R1.5 million race.

Strydom brought the 5-year-old mare Humdinger back from the dead when she looked beaten and took her across the line in vintage Strydom fashion. The 58-year-old is an excellent rider, particularly skilled at riding from the front and dictating the pace. He demonstrated this in a race filled with good pace horses.

He got Humdinger to the front from the outset, with another front-runner, Rascova, in second, both running off a controlled pace.

In the straight, Happy Chance appeared to have passed Humdinger, a horse known for fighting and never giving up, but Strydom pulled the trigger on Humdinger to win.

The favored Double Grand Slam, a well-backed 9/10 shot, finished a fair third, just 1.35 lengths behind the winner. She is a tough 7-furlong horse, but interestingly, South Africa has no Grade 1 events over that distance.

Silver Sanctuary, the Gr1 Woolavington Stakes winner, had a disappointing run, finishing well downfield, and likely needs further.

Humdinger, a R180,000 purchase from the 2020 National 2yo Sale, is a gutsy type and deserved a Gr1 win after numerous classy efforts and tough races, including behind superstar filly Gimme A Nother.

Humdinger has now won 8 races for her connections and has added significant value to her stud career with a highest rating of 119.

Humdinger
- Sire: What A Winter
- Dam: Himalayan Hill
- Dam Sire: Fort Wood (USA)
- Breeder: Ridgemont Highlands
- Owner: International Racing Club (Nom: J da Mata) & Mr. M F de Kock