Dean Kannemeyer has supplemented his impressive L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival Day 1 winner Emerald Band into the R150 000 Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes to be run on Sun Met Day.
Tembinkosi Skeyi and Dean Kannemeyer lead Emerald Band (Keagan De Melo) in after his good win on Friday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The Lammerskraal bred son of Gimmethegreenlight caught the eye in the famous Mike and Norma Rattray red and white silks when he skated clear of the highly regarded Shinnecock to win his second start by 4,25 lengths in the opening race of the prestigious festival on Friday.
Talking to the Sporting Post before flying out to Dubai on Tuesday, where he will be joining up with his Dubai World Cup prospect Last Winter, Kannemeyer said that Emerald Band had improved some lengths on his debut, when green and in need of the run.
“He is a speedy compact sort. A really nice type of horse. He didn’t go for his price at sale and Mr Rattray kept him. I’m glad he did as he will have some fun with him. It’s particularly pleasing for me to have a winner at a big racing occasion for the Rattrays who have been ardent supporters of the Kannemeyer yard for many years – with some really top horses.”
Last Winter (Pic – Gold Circle)
Kannemeyer confirmed that he would be spending some time with his 2018 Sun Met runner-up Last Winter, who was being overseen by Trevor Brown and his team at Mike de Kock’s Blue Stables in Dubai.
“I have nominated him for three different races on Dubai World Cup night. He had a minor setback at Newmarket where he jarred up. So that put us back slightly. But he is back on track and doing well. He is a top horse – his rating of 125 confirms that – and my loyal patrons Khaya Stables have been patient in our quest to take on the world. It’s not a simple process, given the quarantine restrictions, but we are hoping for big things. I will issue a media statement in about a week as to his short-term programme.”
