Young Turffontein trainer Tony Peter has had his challenges this season, but shook off some of the niggles as he soared to the top of the SA national trainer championship log on Saturday.
This followed his very promising 3yo Main Defender doddling in to beat a high quality field in the R550 000 Betway Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein on Saturday.
Like a number of starters in the sixteen-strong field, Main Defender (15-10) was having his first jump of the new season, and could not have been more impressive as he ran on in the straight from a prominent position to extend his winning margin to 6,50 lengths in a time of 86,82 secs for the Turffontein inside track 1450m.
Kabelo Matsunyane takes it easy as Main Defender cruises home (Pic – JC Photos)
Sean Tarry’s Gr1-winner Thunderstruck (8-1) gave the Peter galloper 7,50 kilos and ran on into second, ahead of the only other 3yo, Ready To Charge (16-1), who was further 2 lengths back when completing the trifecta.
Main Defender was the talk all week and was duly backed into firm favouritism.
Hollywoodbets Durban July winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane admitted that he was ‘speechless’ after earning his easiest commission ever, following some discipline to get down to make the weight.
The young Winning Form-sponsored rider may just need some physio on his neck too, after turning around a few times to look for the opposition!
It doesn’t get much bigger than this lead in! (Pic – JC Photos)
Tony Peter thanked his owners, as well as the legend ‘Uncle’ Frank Zackey for the idea of engaging Matsunyane. Peter also paid tribute to the talented Matsunyane for his copybook execution of the riding instructions and dedication to making the weight.
Enjoy the replay:
Main Defender looks to have the world as his oyster and a rematch with his Gr1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes conqueror Sandringham Summit could be a massive marketing moment.
That second place was also the only time in five starts that Main Defender has been beaten and he took his earnings to R835 625 on Saturday, with plenty to come.
A R140 000 buy from the 2022 BSA Cape Yearling Sale, the winner was bred by Jagessar Limited and is a son of Ridgemont’s Sandown Stud-based stallion Pathfork (Distorted Humor) out of the twice winning Judpot mare, Alessia.
