People’s horse ready for the challenge

“Summer Pudding is the people’s horse and we have to run her in the World Sports Betting Gauteng Summer Cup.”

So says trainer Paul Peter ahead of tomorrow’s R1 million race and there is no question this four-year-old fi lly has captured the hearts of racing fans.

She began racing in July last year and is now unbeaten in eight starts. Included in those victories are the three legs of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara – the 1 600m Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the 1 800m SA Fillies Classic and the 2 450m SA Oaks.

That is feat accomplished by just two other fi llies, brilliant Igugu and Cherry On The Top, but hers was made even tougher as the series was interrupted by the coronavirus lockdown and Peter had to keep her ticking over for an extra two months.

She then travelled to Durban to win the Woolavington 2000 and with seven wins from as many runs, was named Equus Horse of the Year.

In tough times, when people were looking for heroes, Summer Pudding answered the call.

Now she faces her toughest task – taking on males from a wide draw with 59kg, and giving weight to all but two of her 19 rivals.

Peter is confident. “She is all heart, has the pedigree and will be equal to the task,” he said. “She is exceptionally well, her weight is spot on, her coat is bright and she has champion jockey Warren Kennedy up.

“I could not have her in a better space than she is right now. All we need is luck in running.”

He pointed out that Summer Pudding was a late foal.

“She only turned four last Saturday and is only starting to mature now. Her work is outstanding and she has really blossomed.”

Peter admitted he would love to better or match the record of 11 unbeaten runs accomplished by Home Guard in the early 1970s.

“It would be lovely and I feel she is quite capable of achieving that goal.”

He expects a positive run from another of his other runners, Astrix.