David Thiselton

SUMMER PUDDING has “pulled up nicely” after her thrilling WSB Summer Cup victory and should soon be on her way to Cape Town.

Trainer Paul Peter said, “All things being equal she will go for the Paddock Stakes (on January 9). She might then go for the Sun Met, there is a long enough gap (three weeks), so we will monitor how she pulls up before deciding. But the Paddock is her main mission, it is every breeder’s dream to win the Paddock Stakes.”

If she wins the Paddock Stakes she will have made it ten wins from ten starts so her attempt at equalling the South African eleven race unbeaten record of Homeguard might happen in the Sun Met. 

Peter said it was unlikely his Grade 2 Dingaans winner Catch Twentytwo would be on the float to Cape Town and Dingaans runner up MK’s Pride will definitely not be.

He said, “I doubt Catch Twentytwo will go but we will keep our options open. The conditions on Saturday were testing.”

He reckoned the Elusive Fort gelding would not get much further than 1800m, although his style of running gave him a chance of getting that trip. He said, “His half-sister Fly Away holds the 1000m course record at The Vaal.”

MK’s Pride is going to be aimed at the Johannesburg season.

Peter celebrated Saturday’s momentous day with a supper with his family but was in bed early as he had to get up at 2 a.m. to transport Ideal Jet down to Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

“It was worth it because she won,” he said.

He said the feeling of winning the Summer Cup had been “mind boggling”.

He continued, “I finished second in this race once and even that was an unbelievable feeling. But growing up I could never have even dreamed I would one day win the Summer Cup let alone with such famous colours.” 

Peter had humble beginnings and grew up in a house ten minutes walk away from Turffontein racecourse.

He absolutely loved horses and would never miss a meeting even as an under age school kid.

He said, “Security eventually got tired of throwing me out but I had to keep a low profile on the course.”

His father loved the game too and he also used to go and see the horses at the stables with his Uncle.

Ormond Ferraris was always the trainer he followed most so it was ironic he inherited Summer Pudding from him upon his retirement and that the legendary trainer was to provide him with so much advice on conditioning her. Ferraris was not on course on Saturday but never misses a minute of the action on TV when Summer Pudding is competing.

Peter has taken the lead in the National Trainers Championship.

He concluded, “We want to keep it like that so will be trying to win the big ones.”