A showdown with Got The Greenlight and SA Triple Crown star Malmoos in the R500 000 Premier’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein on 1 May is on the cards after Paul Peter’s superstar Summer Pudding produced another polished performance to win the R750 000 HSH Princess Charlene Gr1 Empress Club Stakes at the same venue on Saturday.
Ridden by Warren Kennedy for his ninth victory from ten rides in her twelve starts, Summer Pudding powered home at odds-on to register her eleventh victory – and fourth Gr1 success.
Warren Kennedy steers Summer Pudding clear of her field (Pic – JC Photos)
Running over a trip probably short of optimal range and showing no ill effects at her second run after a break, Summer Pudding went off at 4-10 and never gave her backers a moment of anxiety.
Stalking the pacesetting Wisteria Walk and Cape visitor Kelpie from a three length position in the box seat in third, Summer Pudding accelerated away at the 300m marker to beat the senior Running Brave (20-1) by three quarters of a length in a time of 97,46 secs.
Lady Of Steel (10-1) was a further two lengths back in third, with the pacemaker hanging on doggedly to run a game fourth.
Trainer Paul Peter paid tribute to his charge and said he had been in the right place at the right time. She is far and away the best he has trained.
Jess and Steven Jell lead in their star (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Regular pilot Warren Kennedy only rode his first Gr1 winner under two years ago – that was Gabor in the Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville in July 2019 – but has formed a lethal alliance with the flying filly. He rode a ‘perfect race’ in the words of his trainer.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Summer Pudding has won 11 of 12 starts for stakes of R2 689 500.
The reigning SA Horse Of The Year, Summer Pudding is by champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) out of the seven-time winning stakes winner Cherry On The Cake(Strike Smartly) – the latter is a half sister to SA Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top (Tiger Ridge).
It was interesting to hear talk of the stakes for this prestigious race hopefully doubling next year from Princess Charlene’s Dad, Mike Wittstock
With the Durban July her main target, Summer Pudding’s next stop could be the Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge at Turffontein on 1 May.
Here are the entries – Hollywoodbets have priced up and declarations are due on 26 April:
CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Grade 1)
| 6 | Barahin | Mike de Kock | 119 | |
| 5 | Baymax | Paul Peter | 81 | |
| 10 | Cirillo | Sean Tarry | 120 | |
| 15 | Copper Mountain | J A Janse van Vuuren | 121 | |
| 13 | Divine Odyssey | J A Janse van Vuuren | 110 | |
| 12 | Flying Carpet | Sean Tarry | 108 | |
| 11 | Got The Greenlight | Joe Soma | 124 | |
| 9 | Heart Stwings | Paul Peter | 102 | |
| 3 | Johnny Hero | Tyrone Zackey | 99 | |
| 1 | Kelpie | Brett Crawford | 115 | |
| 8 | Malmoos | Mike de Kock | 125 | |
| 7 | Running Brave | Fanie Bronkhorst | 119 | |
| 4 | Second Base | J A Janse van Vuuren | 116 | |
| 14 | Shah Akbar | Sean Tarry | 108 | |
| 2 | Summer Pudding | Paul Peter | 129 | |
| 16 | Tierra Del Fuego | Sean Tarry | 116 | |
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