Johnny Lubisi and the champion travel in style
Dean Kannemeyer gave the thumbs up despite the Johannesburg morning traffic as he drove Capetown Noir to Turffontein racecourse from OR Tambo International Airport earlier today.
South Africa’s champion miler Capetown Noir is the sole raider in the line up for the HF Oppenheimer Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes on Saturday.
“He went well and behaved like a world class traveller. He really is such a professional. We will give him a full examination again when we get to the stable,” said Kannemeyer, who travelled in the stall with his charge.
The star son of Western Winter left his Milnerton base shortly before 3 am this morning and was expected to arrive at Turffontein just after 8am.
A technical problem delayed the flight from Wednesday morning to today and then the flight was delayed again as an alternative plane had to be sourced at the last moment.
The timing of the trip out of Cape Town International on SAA Cargo was designed for comfort and to avoid any traffic at either destination.
His trainer and workrider Johnny Lubisi, as well as one of the country’s leading Veterinary Surgeons, travelled with the valuable colt
Lubisi is Kannemeyer’s leading workrider and rides the colt in Karl Neisius’ absence.
Kannemeyer, who said that he and Lubisi stood either side of Capetown Noir ‘every inch of the way’, added that the race could be won or lost from the moment the float left the Milnerton training centre.
Dean Kannemeyer has arrived in Johannesburg for Horse Chestnut Stakes
“Keeping them stress free and well hydrated is vital. We also take all our own feed and equipment. We have walked this road before and I’m confident of a big run,” he said.
He added with a smile that the media interest had been unprecedented and that interprovincial needle made for entertaining racing.
He thanked Phumelela’s Patrick Davis for the hospitality and for subsidising the appearance.
When pressed on whether it was an expensive exercise, he said ‘only if we get beat.’
He suggested that it made every sense for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner to go for the race, in view of the fact that mile contests at weight for age were not dime a dozen.
On his charge’s fitness, Kannemeyer said that the colt had a 1400m workout on Monday and that ‘if he wasn’t ready now, he would never be.’
He indicated that regular pilot Karl Neisius would arrive in Johannesburg on Thursday evening.
Capetown Noir will leave for Clairwood shortly after the Horse Chestnut Stakes to continue his campaign.
He will join the balance of the Kannemeyer KZN raiding string which left for Durban on Tuesday this week.
