Trainer Paul Peter hero worshipped veteran Ormond Ferraris as a youngster and the Turffontein conditioner celebrated an emotional victory in the R200 000 Gr3 Fillies Mile at Turffontein on Saturday with a smart Silvano filly he ‘inherited’ from the champion mentor on his retirement.
Peter has always been profuse in his praise of the veteran, who he says taught him how to get horses supremely fit.
Warren Kennedy steers Summer Pudding to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
“His horses were always known for their fitness and I can now see why. I have latched on to his work patterns and his work ethic. He used to run his yard like a military base. I got all of his grooms too. We also have a treadmill and a walker and everyone’s happy. It’s a very happy team and we have a lovely bunch of owners,” he said after Ferraris’ sudden retirement back in May.
The Peter yard have teamed up in unstoppable fashion this season with national log leading jockey Warren Kennedy and they maintained their healthy 20% win strike-rate as the obviously smart Silvano filly Summer Pudding charged to victory to pass her first serious test to win the Gr3 mile contest.
With most of the interest in the top-class Mike de Kock duo of Gin Fizz and Tallinn, Summer Pudding was allowed to go off at 14-1.
Relaxed early, she stormed home in the final stages to pass long-time leader Cockney Pride and nab the persistent 60 -1 hope Keep Smiling to win going away by 0,30 lengths in a time of 99,58 secs.
Another daughter of Wilgerbosdrift sire Flower Alley in Marygold, completed the trifecta.
The exciting Gin Fizz ran no kind of race to run stone last. The Stipes report could explain that effort.
Trainer Paul Peter described Summer Pudding as a ‘very classy filly looking for 2000m plus’.
“Well done to Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. It’s a pleasure to have Mrs Slack here. A nice ride again from Warren (Kennedy) who had to dash off to catch a flight back to Durban. I inherited Summer Pudding from Mr Ferraris – and I believe the sky’s the limit for her!” he added.
Mary Slack confirmed that Summer Pudding hailed from ‘a great family’.
“Very well done to Jess, Stevie and Mike on the farm. And a word of thanks to Paul and all of the Peters,” she said.
This is indeed a top family.
The winner, sired by champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) is out of seven-time winning stakes winner Cherry On The Cake(Strike Smartly) – the latter a half sister to SA Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top (Tiger Ridge). They were daughters of the top-class Carolina Cherry.
Summer Pudding is unbeaten in three starts and took her earnings to R230 375.
The future looks bright!
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Gr3 Fillies Mile (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 23, R200k, 1600m, turf, good, 1.39.58
1 – SUMMER PUDDING (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Silvano (GER) – Cherry On The Cake (SAF) by Strike Smartly (CAN). Owner Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs J B Jell); Breeder Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein; trainer PA Peter; jockey W Kennedy
2 – Keep Smiling (SAF), 58.0, ch f 3, Flower Alley (USA) – Queen Of All (SAF) by Jallad (USA)
3 – Marygold (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Flower Alley (USA) – Glenrossal (SAF) by Anytime (IRE)
Margins: 0.30, 0.30, 1.65
