Dynasty gelding Solid Speed explodes into action under Donovan Dillon to register a first stakes win and set up a Gold Cup date
Cape based trainer Dean Kannemeyer maintained his rich vein of Champions Season form from his new ‘home from home’ at Summerveld, when he boosted his Gold Cup prospects with the Dynasty 4yo Solid Speed slamming a decent field of stayers to win the R250 000 Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at Greyville on Saturday.
A seasoned professional, Kannemeyer picked himself up off the mat after a temporarily disappointing midweek meeting at the same venue. He bounced back with vigour on the Daily News day in front of a festive crowd in glorious sunny weather conditions, with two winners for his major patron, Khaya Stables.
The first of his winners was the Irish-bred Rip Van Winkle filly Let It Rip who shed her maiden with a runaway win at prohibitive odds in the third race under Anton Marcus. This broke the Mike Azzie stranglehold, after the eloquent Joburg conditioner had trained the first two winners.
The lightly raced Solid Speed was registering his third win on the trot since returning from his summer season break and Kannemeyer endorsed the value of staying loyal to jockey Donovan Dillon, after the young rider had done little wrong when winning the non black-type Highland Night Cup over Saturday’s course and distance on him at his previous outing.
With the habitually tardy Raaees bungling the start again and losing lengths at the jump, it was Sun On Africa who went up to lead the fourteen-strong field ahead of Great Rumpus and Current Event, with Gone Baby Gone and Kolkata further back.
Donovan Dillon had Solid Speed relaxed about ten lengths off the action and just back of midfield, while Bernard Fayd’herbe struggled to spark the usually consistent Henry Higgins, who was always languishing at the rear.
Into the home dash the pack fanned out with Dillon switching the strong galloping Solid Speed in for his run as the leaders shortened strides.
Donovan Dillon is led in on the winner by assistant trainer Barbara Badenhorst as Dean Kannemeyer looks on
The bright yellow silks were in full charge as the pair came through down the inside with Disco Al finishing strongly on the outside.
But the result was beyond a doubt at the 200m as Solid Speed stayed on best to win by 1,25 lengths in a time of 148,83 secs.
He was a popular winner, going off as tote favourite at a generous 3-1. Mind you, the price is always generous when reviewing the winner.
Anton Marcus’ enthusiasm for Joey Ramsden’s Disco Al was in evidence as the son of Captain Al improved on his last start to grab second cheque with a decent performance at the weights.
He ran ahead of Gavin Van Zyl’s Gauteng visitor Heart Of A Lion – who looks to have at last found his niche in the staying ranks, as he finished with a rattle.
July hopeful Mountain Master was well beaten into fourth, just a nose in front of Kingston Mines.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer, who was bullish in the build up about Solid Speed’s prospects, confirmed the sentiment in his post-race interview.
“Things didn’t go our way initially and we thus rested him during the Cape summer. That was thanks to the fact that he has a patient owner! I am thrilled also that it was another win for Dynasty and we really liked him at the CPYS Book 1 sale. He stays well and is just getting stronger and stronger. Donovan rode him really well and with confidence too. Obviously we need to try and stay out of the handicapper’s way and I have earmarked the Gold Cup for him,” he said.
The youthful Donovan Dillon has formed a winning partnership with Solid Speed.
“My instructions were to just get him comfortable and just not to run wide. His work has been progressive and he has improved a lot. I came in here with a lot of confidence and things worked out well,” he said.
Solid Speed was bred by Willempie Engelbrecht Jnr and was selected and purchased for R600 000 at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 by Dean Kannemeyer and Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe.
He has now won 5 races with 2 places from 9 starts and took his career earnings to R381 675.
Kannemeyer trained past Gold Cup winners Colonial Girl (2000) and In Writing (2012), and he thus has a good feel of what it takes to win South Africa’s premier marathon.
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Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, May 30, R250k, 2400m, turf, good, 2.28.83
1 – SOLID SPEED (SAF), 55.0, g 4, Dynasty (SAF) – Boston Tea Party (SAF) by Jallad (USA). Owner Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd; Breeder WJ Engelbrecht Jnr; trainer D Kannemeyer; jockey D Dillon
2 – Disco Al (SAF), 58.5, b g 5, Captain Al (SAF) – Studio Fifty Four (SAF) by Badger Land (USA)
3 – Heart Of A Lion (SAF), 56.0, ch g 4, Seul Amour (NZ) – Action Lady (SAF) by Counter Action (SAF)
Margins: 1.25, 0.50, 3.25
