Summer Pudding to claim Tiara

Trainer Paul Peter feels confident Summer Pudding is primed to win today’s Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2 450m and capture the SA Triple Tiara.

The three-year-old filly won the first two legs – the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 SA Classic prior to the lockdown.

Also on the card are the SA Derby over 2450m and the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m, both Grade 1 races.

Speaking about Summer Pudding Peter said: “Her work has been excellent and her coat looks magnificent.”

“I have no doubt she will see out the distance and I’m expecting a very good performance.”

With Warren Kennedy, who rode the filly to victory in the first two legs, opting to stay in Durban during the lockdown period, Gavin Lerena has picked up the ride

The unbeaten daughter of Silvano has found is now trading at 9-20 and looks a banker in all bets.

With different winners of the Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic, there cannot be a SA Triple Crown winner this season. There is a question of whether some of the runners will stay 2450m but class often prevails over staying ability in the Derby and if that proves true, it would favour SA Classic champion Got The Greenlight and Dingaans winner Shango.

Trainer Joe Soma is confident Got The Greenlight will stay and he could be the runner to beat.

However, Peter is expecting a topthree finish from Western Fort, who he says has improved markedly in cheek pieces.

Mike de Kock holds a very strong hand in the Horse Chestnut Stakes where he saddles Hawwaam, Soqrat and Queen Supreme.

“They all went flat in Cape Town but back in their home environment they are all very happy,” said De Kock yesterday.

Hawwaam does appear to be slightly preferred but De Kock points out that this 1600m is Soqrat’s game. “He won this race last year. He’s very good and too consistent to ignore.”

Jack Milner’s Turffontein selections

Race 1: 8 Senescence, 1 Fireworks, 11 Cloth Of Ice, 3 Acorn Alley

Race 2: 2 Dubawi Princess, 3 Due Diligence, 12 War Of Athena, 1 Afternoon Tea

Race 3: 5 Slalom Queen, 10 Mount Pleasant, 4 Elusive Woman, 1 Portico

Race 4: 1 Immeasurable, 2 Crank It Up, 12 Supreme Elevation, 3 Untamed Tiger

Race 5: 10 Lord Melbourne, 11 Take The World, 1 Arnica Montana, 12 Elusive Swann

Race 6: 1 Vistula (best Win/Place bet), 3 Return Flight, 7 What You Are, 4 Wisteria Walk

Race 7: 1 Summer Pudding (best Win bet), 3 Victoria Paige, 2 Marygold, 4 Keep Smiling

Race 8: 2 Hawwaam, 1 Soqrat, 3 Cirillo, 11 Queen Supreme

Race 9: 2 Got The Greenlight, 1 Shango, 7 Western Fort, 3 Youcanthurrylove

Race 10: 1 Divine Odyssey, 6 Alibi Guy, 5 Jet Start, 4 Chitengo