Carryovers back for Turffontein

First major race meeting at venue tomorrow since lockdown.

The first major race meeting after the lockdown will take place at Turffontein tomorrow and there are a number of carryover pools to go with the three feature races.

There will be R250 000 kicking off the Pick 6 (races four to nine) pools and is estimated to reach R1 million. There are two Jackpots, the first from races five to eight and the second from races seven to 10, and R75 000 will be added to each of those pools. Jackpot 1 is predicted to reach R500 000 and jackpot 2 R300 000.

Race seven is the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2 450m and there is a Quartet carryover of R100 000 and it is estimated to reach R750 000.

As far as the Oaks is concerned, trainer Paul Peter believes Summer Pudding is well primed to win the Grade 2 race and claim the SA Triple Tiara.

The three-year-old filly won the first two legs – the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Grade 1 SA Classic – prior to the lockdown and just needs the SA Oaks to see her join the ranks of some of the best fillies to have raced in this country – Igugu and Cherry On The Top.

“Her work has been excellent and her coat looks magnificent,” said Peter yesterday.

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

Peter is a successful trainer but he has managed to get some advice for one of the best in the business – retired trainer Ormond Ferraris. Ferraris made the Oaks and Derby his own, winning the former 10 times and the latter eight times.

“His input has been invaluable,” said

Peter, “and I can tell you he is very happy with the way things have gone.”

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.

“We offered Warren to come up to Joburg and stay here for the month but he has a young child and did not want to spend that time away from his family,” said Peter.

“But Gavin is an excellent replacement. He has won on Summer Pudding. He came to work her a few days back and was very happy with the gallop.”

– jackm@phumelela.com