Paul Peter celebrated his crowning moment as the new SA Champion trainer with his maiden Marshalls World Of Sport Gr3 Gold Cup victory at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Paul Peter and onwer Laurence Wernars wait to greet Shangani (Warren Kennedy) after their Masrhalls World Of Sport Gold Cup success (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
As the rain came down the field for South Africa’s premier staying contest past the post for the first time and the race was to develop into a thrilling contest.
Going off at 7-1 Shangani got up close home to beat 40-1 shot Imperial Ruby by 0.60 lengths with Rex Union (20-1) a neck back in third and Black Thorn 9-2 in fourth.
New Zealand-bound Kennedy rode the perfect race on Shangani, timing his run to perfection to catch long-time leader Imperial Ruby with Rex Union staying on well for third ahead of Black Thorn.
The two at the top of the boards, Nebraas and Aragosta, were a no-show, bringing up the rear of the field for much of the race and although making some late headway in the straight, they were well beaten.
Kennedy punched Shangani through a gap between Imperial Ruby and Rex Union to add another winner to the record tallies of both champion trainer Paul Peter and Kennedy.
It was a plan come together for the stable who had earmarked the Marshalls World of Sport Gold Cup some months back. “Two runs back I did not ride a very good race but I said to Mister Wernars not to worry, I’d win the Marshalls World Of Gold Cup. It was a plan come together,” said Kennedy.
A half-brother to dual Aquanaut Handicap winner Chitengo, Shangani was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and is by ill-fated champion Soft Falling Rain (National Assembly) out of the Montjeu sired Gold Bowl victress Gorongosa.
Shangani cost R250 000 at the National Yearling Sale. He has won 7 of 12 starts with 2 places for stakes of R950 187.
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