Paul Peter had a good day at Turffontein’s Classic Day on Saturday and is now just over R1 million behind pacesetter Justin Snaith in the race for the National Champion Trainer title.
His classy and progressive stayer Shangani (Soft Falling Rain), who made it five wins in seven starts when winning the Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m, is now being targeted at the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
He said, “He is very decent and is a pleasure to work with as he has such a good temperament. He is so honest and the way he is in his box is the same way he is outside of it and at the races. He has a nice way about him. He has won over a mile and is not a plodder. He has acceleration and I don’t think the 2200m will be a problem for him.”
They might give him an initial SA Champions Season target of the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on May 28.
He is only merit rated 105 at present so would need to win that race to stand a chance of getting into the July, which is to be run five weeks later.
Peter gained yet another Grade 1 second with a progeny of Elusive Fort when Sprinkles finished second in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.
Last season his Elusive Fort gelding Catch Twentytwo, who is in the UK at present, won the Grade 2 WSB Dingaans and the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel over 1400m before finishing second and third respectively in the first two legs of the WSB SA Triple Crown. He then finished a further three seconds in a Grade 2 and two Grade 1s in KZN respectively.
Sprinkles is following in Catch Twentytwo’s footsteps by winning the Grade 3 Three Troikas over 1400m before finishing second in the first two legs of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.
Peter said, “She is not the biggest but is nicely balanced and has a nice strong hind-quarter and is all heart. I think a mile is her best distance so she will avoid the Oaks and go for the Empress Club and maybe the Garden Province later.”
Three-year-old filly Freed From Desire (Jackson) keeps on defying the handicapper and did so again by finishing a narrow second in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Hawaii Stakes over 1400m carrying 53,5kg against older boys.
Peter said, “She is also all heart. She will have a light break and then maybe go for the SA Fillies Sprint.”
Freed From Desire has risen from an 87 merit rating to 116 this season.
Peter also finished third in the Hawaii with the courageous and consistent MK’s Pride (Willow Magic).
He said, “He is one-dimensional, he can’t be too far off the pace, so he had to be used up from that wide draw.”
The yard’s Oratorio filly Pin Up went off form last winter but has bounced back and has won three out of four starts this season, including Saturday’s Grade 3 WSB Club Prive Acacia Stakes over 1600m by and easy three lengths.
Peter said, “She is maturing and loves the sting out of the ground.”
Peter was pleased with a pair of his two-year-olds.
Set To Go (Erupt) gave weight and a 3,25 length beating to a Juvenile Plate field over 1000m.
Miss Cool (What A Winter) also gave weight in the fillies 1000m equivalent and only just failed to catch the winner.
Peter said, “Set To Go is quite thick set. He looked like he needed gelding, but his mind was focused on Saturday. He will go for the SA Nursery.”
He added, “Miss Cool needs further. She was closing hand over fist. She might go for the SA Fillies Nursery, but we will save her for the 1400m on July day which will be right down her alley.”
Green Haze (Gimmethegreenlight) finished a 3,75 length second to Shangani and has appeared to enjoy stepping up to staying trips.
Peter said, “He gets on well with Chase Maujean, who knows exactly how to ride him. You have to leave him alone in the early stages. He is an honest place getter and we will find Pinnacle Plates and other races for him.”
Big Burn (Elusive Fort) missed his engagement on Saturday in a Conditions Plate when the meeting was cut short, but is running over 1160m next Saturday and might also be aimed at the SA Fillies Sprint.
Reunion (Flower Alley) comes out this Saturday in the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m and the yard hope this much vaunted gelding can keep on going in the right direction after his two good comeback wins.
What is noticeable is how many Narrow Creek Stud-bred horses the Peter yard have done well with recently, including Catch Twentytwo, Sprinkles, Freed From Desire, Big Burn and Flying Bull (Soft Falling Rain).
Peter said, “I really like the way they present their horses. They are tough and they improve, they don’t go backwards. We spent some time at the stud and were impressed. We are now reaping the rewards. John Everett (stud owner) is a proper horseman. He brings up horses well and nurtures them. There is a fine line between bringing up horses too tough and over pampering them and he seems to get it just right.”
Picture: Pin Up being led in On Saturday (JC Photos).
