A shower over Turffontein on Friday evening put a smile on the face of Paul Peter, who saddles WSB Gauteng Summer Cup favourite Summer Pudding on Saturday.
The man who has enjoyed a terrific season to date told the Sporting Post that the 10mm of rain would take the sting out of the ground and suit both his undefeated SA Horse Of The Year, Summer Pudding, and her stablemate Astrix.
Ominous dark clouds gather over Fourways on Friday afternoon (Pic – Andrew Bon)
“It has all gone according to plan with my runners. Summer Pudding is very well. She will enjoy the sting out of the turf. She has the draw to beat but Warren (Kennedy) isn’t the SA Champion jockey for nothing. He knows her well and will have a plan. Astrix will also enjoy the kinder ground. He was running on in the Victory Moon and has a nice draw. Piere Strydom is another man for the big occasion. They’d be my top two in the headline event,” said Peter, who is looking for his first Cup success.
Partly Cloudy weather with a 60% chance of thunderstorms is forecast for Saturday.
On his other runners on the big afternoon, Paul Peter says that the Flying The Flag filly Roha has an each way shout in the opener, when she has her second start.
Willow Magic’s son Godswood runs in the second, the opening leg of the anticipated R500 000 Bipot. Gelding may have done the trick and he may enjoy a change of luck with the blinkers first time!
With Reunion scratched, Grace From Above starts in the third, the PA opener. The place exotic is expected to reach R1 million.
“Grace From Above appears average at best. He could find a place, I feel.”
In the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap, which is the opening leg of the projected R20 million Pick 6, the Peter coupling of Che Bella and Springs Of Carmel have place chances at best.
Bold Ransom – big chance, but the draw… (Pic – JC Photos)
The New Turf Carriers Gr3 Merchants opens the likely R2 million Jackpot 1.
Paul Peter suggests that his Golden Loom winner Bold Ransom would have a winning chance – but is drawn on the ‘wrong side’ at 2.
“That’s not to say he could not get across and put in a big effort,” cautions Peter.
Mike de Kock’s Mount Pleasant will be a popular banker in the World Sports Betting Gr3 Dingaans.
“Clearly Mount Pleasant is the horse to beat. But both MK’s Pride, who won the Ready To Run Cup, and Catch Twentytwo are improving and fit. They won’t disgrace themselves.”
The first race is off at 12h05.
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