Betway Summer Cup (Group 1)

ROYAL Victory, a son of the former Jessica Harrington-trained Pathfork, became the first Durban-trained winner of the Betway Summer Cup this century when springing a 33/1 shock in the initial Group 1 of the season at Turffontein in Johannesburg last Saturday.

Muzi Yeni, winning the R5 million (€243,000) handicap for the first time, took it up just inside the final furlong and his mount beat Mike de Kock’s 11/2 joint-favourite Safe Passage by a most convincing two and a quarter-lengths.

Yeni reported: “When horses come here from Durban they tend to get caught out by the altitude. But Royal Victory is a classy sort and he was well handicapped - so I thought he must be a massive runner if he came to the party.”

The sometimes-controversial Yeni, casting all modesty aside, added: “I’m blessed. I have a God-given talent - and I am so grateful to God that I found a special day today!”

Trainer Nathan Kotzen, who used to be assistant to De Kock, said: “Now that we know he can go the distance we must try the Durban July. Looking at the starting price, nobody seemed to think he could do it today but I have always thought a lot of him.”

Royal Victory was bred by Marianne Thomson’s Ambiance Stud near Worcester out of the four-time winning mare Kailani (by Kahal) and was bought for only R90,000 (€4,400) at the National Yearling Sale.

Surprise withdrawal

But the biggest surprise of the day was the enforced withdrawal of all but the first of Tony Peters’ runners including Meridius and Electric Gold in the big one.

The National Horseracing Authority sent out a press release halfway through the afternoon, marking it “with high importance” and saying that it had imposed an interim suspension on the trainer.

It added: “All horses under the care of trainer Peter will not be eligible to participate in races pending the conclusion of the investigation. This investigation has emanated from a stable visit by NHA officials earlier today which raised certain serious concerns.”

Peters’ father, former champion trainer Paul Peter, told the Sporting Post that he and his wife were driving out of the stable area earlier that morning when they were stopped by an official who said he wanted to search them.

Mrs Peter refused. Her husband added: “My wife was traumatised and hurt her knee, arms and neck in the scuffle. We proceeded to get medical help and she then laid a charge at the Booysens Police Station.” It was not until Monday afternoon that NHA boss Arnold Hyde revealed that Peters had been told on Saturday morning to present certain runners for the taking of pre-race specimens.

Flying Bull, due to run in the eighth, was not presented despite Peter being reminded to do so. An inquiry will be held although the trainer’s suspenson has been lifted.

This weekend

Sean Tarry’s Group 1 winner Mrs Geriatrix is the highest-rated horse in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth today but the classic is totally overshadowed by the Green Point Stakes.

The mighty Charles Dickens is opposed in this Group 2 mile by Durban July runner-up See It Again and Princess Calla. The trio occupy the first three places in the Met betting.