Those were the worlds of champion jockey Warren Kennedy after Summer Pudding’s eight win from as many starts at Turffontein on Saturday.
Last season’s Horse Of the Year looked a picture going to post and this run will bring her on nicely for the R1-million World Sports Betting Gauteng Summer Cup over 2000m on Saturday 28 November.
Kennedy had the Paul Peter trained daughter of Silvano placed in second place behind stable companion Elusive Force who ensured a decent pace, but once they swung into the straight it was clear Kennedy was sitting with a “fistful of dollars” and he let out some rain on the 12-10 favourite.
From that point on they were all racing for second.
That place eventually went to Rouge Allure who touched off Mount Laurel on the post to grab second place.
“She’s actually got better,” said Kennedy. “Her customary flat spot, she didn’t even hit it. She knows what she’s doing. She came out readily and at the 1200m I was just waiting on her.
“In my mind, I thought she had 62kg on her back, and I didn’t want her to hit the flat spot, but it never came. She never hit top gear. It was a fantastic win.
“The break obviously did her the world of good. She’s furnished nicely, and I know it’s scary to say, but she’s just on the up.”
Peter was in full agreement. “The work she’s been showing us is better than she has ever worked.”
Summer Pudding had not been out since winning the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville in June. She was given a break at the farm and returned to training in August.
She is currently quoted as 5-2 favourite for the WSB Gauteng Summer Cup.
As expected, Sean Tarry held the bet hand in Race 7, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1160m, where he sent out Chimichuri Run, Warrior’s Rest and Eden Roc.
It was Eden Roc, who came from near last after having reared at the start, who got up by 0.40 lengths under Lyle Hewitson and then held off the challenge of Chimichuri Run. Third place went to Down To Zero with Oravar in fourth.
Best bet on the card looked to be Pack Leader in Race 4, a Progress Plate over 1600m. Having his first run the Alec Laird yard last time, he was backed off the boards but was so badly interfered with that jockey S’manga Khumalo had to almost bring him to a standstill shortly after the start.
He ended up tailed off at the back of the field but still managed to finish third behind Cornish Pomodoro.
This time he showed what he could do and ridden by S’manga Khumalo, easily beat Prospector by 4.50 lengths.