Clive Robinson
Champion trainer Paul Peter has opted to pit two very interesting runners from his stable against each other on Thursday 1 September.
Officially Spring Day in South Africa, Peter will undoubtedly be hoping that they both find a spring in their step and complete a 1-2 in Race 4, a FM 90 Handicap over 1600m.
Greek Miss, a four-year-old filly by Great Britain, and Pin Up, a six-year-old Oratorio mare, have recorded eight wins between them from a combined 25 runs.
The former was a runaway victor on debut, but battled a bit in handicaps, until Muzi Yeni jumped into the saddle last time out.
With more than 2000 victories to his name, it is unsurprising that the experienced Yeni decided to attack from the word go in a rather mediocre field and dropping down in class.
The result was a 5.75-length victory and an eight-point rise in rating for Greek Miss.
He retains the ride and the pair are expected to again play catch-me-if-you-can over slightly shorter this time round.
Pin Up, purchased for just R50,000 by Peter’s brother and his Hyperpaint Syndicate, has already earned R420,000 in stakes.
A Grade 3 winner, she was very rusty last time out after a four-month break in a similar contest. It is more than obvious that she needed that run.
Perhaps getting her to compete with – and against – her stable companion, is Peter’s way of getting the best out of her with a familiar face around.
Last season, Peter and jockey Warren Kennedy formed a formidable partnership, with Kennedy also crowned champion jockey. In his absence – he is reportedly on his way to New Zealand after a well-deserved holiday – Peter has engaged the services of Yeni and Champion Apprentice Rachel Venniker, who will be aboard Pin Up.
With the National Horseracing Authority deciding that female jockeys receive a 1,5kg sex allowance, it makes perfect sense that she was chosen to partner Pin Up, as she is carded to carry top weight.
Another of Peter’s runners to keep an eye on is Blue Waters in Race 6, a FM 82 Handicap over 1200m.
A winner as a juvenile on debut, she has her first run since turning three.
Blue Waters finished only four lengths behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Sweet Pepper in her penultimate and is expected to come on greatly as she matures.
