Turffontein trainer Tony Peter has achieved a rare feat by saddling a Gr1 winner in his first seven months as a trainer.
The son of past SA champion Paul Peter produced a glorious feature double at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, with the Querari filly Bavarian Beauty streaking home to win the R700 000 Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes.
After grabbing the lion’s share with Meridius in the Listed @worldpool Twitter Handicap earlier in the afternoon, the Peter-Zackey combination upset the rhythm of many Pick 6 punters when the 20-1 Bavarian Beauty showed her talent with a 1,50 length victory over the fancied Egyptian Mau (4-1) in the race run in past years as the Thekwini Stakes.
Craig Zackey rides a confident race to get Bavarian Beauty home (Pic -Candiese Lenferna)
Craig Zackey is riding with great confidence and wrapped up a season interrupted by a New Zealand stint late last year. He will be looking forward to commencing duties for the Dean Kannemeyer yard next term.
A second Gr1 success on the afternoon for Maine Chance Farms, Bavarian Beauty runs in the silks of Playgate SA and took her stakes tally to R502 375 with her second win and a place from 4 starts.
She started her career in the Cape with Shane Humby and cost R250 000 off the Cape Premier Yearling Sale. She is by Oasis Dream star Querari out of the once winning Silvano mare, Bandola.
Tony Peter again thanked his loyal supporting owners, and mentioned the legend Ormond Ferraris, with whom he consults with regularly.
Tony (in aubergine suit) and Paul Peter and the happy connections after the Gr1 strike(Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
His Dad Paul was present on course and there were tears flowing.
Paul Peter told the Sporting Post late last year that Tony had been around the yard since his teens.
“I have every confidence that Tony will make us proud,” added the man who set a new South African record of 221 winners last season.
Hi son certainly has started like a house on fire and ends his first season with his 177 runners producing 46 winners at a 25.99% strike rate. Tony saddled 71 places at a 40.11% strike-rate. While he is growing his yard, he must rank as a contender for national top 10 honours next term.
It was good to see Douglas Whyte out from Hong Kong to officiate in the presentation ceremony of a race named in his honour. There aren’t too many of our past champions honoured with a Grade 1 contest!
Enjoy the post-race interview:
