If barrier draws were hard currency, Dean Kannemeyer would be a rich man.
For the second week running, the Milnerton conditioner takes on a quality feature field with a top horse from a wide gate.
Craig Zackey and Dean Kannemeyer will be looking for a bit of luck this weekend (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
At Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Saturday, Gimmie’s Countess jumped from a 12 gate under Craig Zackey in the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship, and was dropped out to the rear of the field, before being left with a mountain to climb in the run for home – only beaten just over half a length into fourth.
Today Kannemeyer sends out his lightly raced 6yo Gimme A Prince (Craig Zackey) in the R350 000 Gr3 Cape Mile.
He says his charge ‘is flying’ at home.
“You don’t only have to be good, you have to be lucky too,” laughed Kannemeyer as he said that he had little choice but to run the top-class Gimme A Prince from the less than favourable draw.
“He has run three outstanding races in the Drill Hall and two consecutive Matchem Stakes over 1400m in top company- he won twice over 1400m on the poly earlier on – and I have always been of the opinion that he would get the mile. Given his 130 rating, this is the perfect race to take the next step and let him show us that he either gets the mile, or he doesn’t. Our aim is the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. If things don’t pan out, we will revert to plan B and focus on the sprints,” he said.
Richard Fourie partners 2024 IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes winner Royal Aussie, who could just need it after a 15 week break. The son of Royal Mo is consistency personified.
Royal Aussie’a stablemate Hluhluwe returns from a 16-week break and makes his seasonal debut.
The son of Trippi was not disgraced in the Gr1 The HKJC Champions Cup last time and no doubt has bigger plans for the season and this outing will bring him on nicely.
The ten-race card starts at 12h00 on Saturday.
Day-Night Racing At Turffontein
The R225 000 Listed Summer Pudding Handicap headlines the Turffontein Day-Night fixture on Friday.
The first is off at 15h35 and the last race is scheduled for 19h40.
