The Equator (Ire) winning for Aidan O’Brien over a mile and two furlongs at Leopardstown. (Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos))
The most intriguing entry in the Hollywoodbets Durban July was the imported former Aidan O’Brien-trained Galileo colt, The Equator, but the Tony Peter yard are not sure whether they can get him ready in time for the big race.
Paul Peter said, “The quarantine was longer than we expected. He’s doing very well, but I’m not sure Tony will have him ready in time. He’s going to need two runs to qualify, but he is a big burly horse and this bloke can eat. He just wants to eat and he eats and gets big and chunky so quickly. So Tony doesn’t want to push him and damage him. But he is going to try and have him ready. He has an excellent temperament, you would never think he’s a colt, and he’s doing whatever we ask of him. We didn’t know anything about him, so we’re just learning every day. He’s a nice sound horse and we had to nominate him in case he gets there quicker than we think.”
Paul went over to a Tattersalls Sale with Willem Ackerman and Advocate Nigel Riley of Heversham Park stud last October and the latter pair bought the Galileo colt for 55,000 Gns. His value increased significantly a month later when his three-parts sister by Frankel, Lake Victoria, won the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf.
Lake Victoria started 9/4 for the 1000 Guineas on Saturday and finished a 2,50 length sixth.
The Equator himself has only won one race in six starts but has two seconds to his name and has performed well against some good oposition. He seems to need plenty of ground, despite being out of the European champion three-year-old sprinter Quiet Reflection (Showcasing), who won two Gr 1s.
The South African handicappers accorded The Equator a merit rating of 109, which will mean, as Paul Peter said, he will have to do well in his next two races to qualify for the July.
Meanwhile, the yard were pleased with VJ’s Angel’s 2,35 length eighth in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Paul said, “She had a nice run. She came a little bit wide, but she stopped the antics. She didn’t really get left and she tried right to the line, so we were happy with the run.”
THe Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes is on the agenda for VJ’s Angel, who won the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes last season over the same 1600m course and distance.
VJ’s Angel was part of an intended sales package together with crack sprinter Golden Sickle. However, a price could not be agreed upon with her, although Golden Sickle was sold so is no longer in the yard.
Stable star Main Defender was scratched from the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes only due to the wide draw he had landed.
He runs on Sunday in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Turffontein in preparation for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, where he will hopefully crack a decent draw.
Pistol Pete is a possibility for the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint, but they will be avoiding that race with Buffalo Storm Cody, because they believe the latter is best around the turn. They said they might look at races around the turn for Buffalo Storm Cody like the Gr 2 Post Merchants and Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.
