7 ARMSTRONG – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

7 Drawn 1 55.5 6-year-old gelding

Owner:  Messrs G Goksel, A P Nydam & F Vahab

Breeder: Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud – Trainer: V Birketoft

Breeding: Var (USA) – Walkingonthemoon (AUS) by Galileo (IRE)

Colours: Black, purple crossed sashes, black sleeves, purple cap

Armstrong (opening betting 12/1) won his first race over the Turffontain 1400m in December 2018 when trained by Mike de Kock.  His second success came at Borrowdale over 1200m in November 2019 when in the Gokhan Terzi yard.

Altogether Armstrong has won seven races from 1200 to 1600m and he has yet to try the 2000m trip. He ran 3.10 lengths off Yarraman in the 1800m National Foods Cup in 2020, both carrying 56 kgs.  Mr Greenlight, Wantage and Three to Tango finished in front of Armstrong and Holy Land was behind.

His next bid over 1800m was in the 2021 OK Grand Challenge (Gr2) and again he finished midfield. There were 17 runners – some of whom he will meet on May 7 – so midfield wasn’t too bad.

Without question, to date, Armstrong has performed best up to 1600m.  His last start over this distance was in an MR 88 Handicap on April 3 which he won with claiming apprentice Munashe Josi on board – Heir Line was a close second and Three To Tango further back.

How will Armstrong fare in the big one – drawn well and with a reasonable galloping weight? Only time will tell.

Photograph Zimbabwe Equine News.