Savanna Valjalo booted home the second winner of her official career as an apprentice with a nicely-timed ride on Tony Peter-trained Blizzard Snow in Race 4 over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The 26-year-old already had 3 winners to her credit as a Workrider prior to Wednesday and was first in the spotlight when she won the 2024 Okapi Ladies Race on King’s Plate Day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, riding Gravity for Justin Snaith. Savanna has now ridden two winners and five places from her first 20 rides as a 4kg claiming apprentice.
It was notable that Savanna didn’t use her whip on Blizzard Snow, who raced three lengths off a fast pace and burst through with 100m to run, to claim the honours.
Tony Peter commented: “That was a lovely ride, Blizzard Snow is a funny filly, she doesn’t like the stick, so I just told Savanna to hold her together nicely. She’s a talented and enthusiastic rider, comes to work early every morning.”
Savanna, whose family was on course to support her, said she was as patient as possible. “When I asked Blizzard Snow to quicken, she went through the gap, she did it all.”
She thanked Tony and owner Stinky Pooe for the opportunity, and said that she was proud to have ridden a winner in the popular owners’ silks.
Pooe returned the compliment and added that he would support the young rider. “Thank you to the lady, that was a great ride.” He suggested that Blizzard Snow should have been favourite, but that she was largely ignored by punters because of her female jockey.
Blizzard Snow is a three-year-old daughter of Erupt, bred at Pieter Graaff’s Lammerskraal Stud.
