Peter takes giant step towards Champion Trainer title

Danie Toerien

Trainer Paul Peter opened up a considerable lead at the top of the Champion Trainer log over defending champion trainer Justin Snaith on Champions Day at Turffontein.

Peter scored a 1-2 in the R1-million Grade 1 Computaform Sprint with Master Archie and Big Burn respectively, earning the trainer a total of R825,000 in stakes.

He followed up with victory in the main event, the R2-million Grade 1 TAB The Premier’s Champions Challenge with Astrix.

That win added a whopping R1,2-million in stakes to Peter’s kitty.

Peter also earned R187,500 in stakes with Maharanee in the Grade 2 4Racing SA Fillies Nursery, and R250,000 with Miss Cool in the Grade 2 Heineken SA Nursery.

That brought his total stakes earned for the day to more than R2,4-million.

“Massive wins today,” said Peter after the running of the Premier’s Champions Challenge.

“The weather’s been giving us a hard time for most of the summer, and this is the first time we could get these horses really fit,” said Peter in reference to the all the rain on the Highveld and the effect this has had on the tracks.

“As far as the trainers’ title is concerned, we take nothing for granted.

“We just thank God and we box on.

“I do feel a bit more confident now than yesterday, but I just want to keep my feet on the ground.”