Dean’s Palace Of Dreams

Milnerton trainer Dean Kannemeyer celebrated three thrilling Met winners while working for his late Dad ‘Peekay’.

But 26 years after stepping into the late legend’s shoes, victory in the Cape showpiece has eluded him. That said, he believes that he has a live chance of breaking the ice when the field lines up in the R5 million WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met shortly after 16h00 on Saturday.

The one time Parabat and accomplished former amateur jockey saddles the only filly in the race in Red Palace, and was philosophical after having to endure the agony and frustration of having his dual Grade 1 winners Green With Envy scratched just 24 hours after acceptance last week.

“It is what it is. We are dealing with flesh and blood and owner Lady Christine Laidlaw was very understanding. Green With Envy is a very valuable racehorse and he still has a big role to play. We will give him a nice long rest and bring him back when he is fit and ready.”

Dean’s most recent ‘near miss’ in the big race came in 2017 when Piere Strydom unleashed Last Winter from near last to flash up and chase Snaith’s historic 3yo winning filly, Oh Susanna, who had a half length to spare at the line.

“Second certainly beats third, but hard luck stories don’t pay the bills and nobody really cares or remembers!” muses the 64 year old as he reflects on a race that is at the top of his professional bucket list.

As a much younger man – age is definitely not his favourite subject – Dean tasted the joy and elation of leading in a Met winner at the historic track.

He was shadowing his Dad when Felix Coetzee steered Sunshine Man home in 1980, Jeff Lloyd guided Divine Master in 1992, and Garth Puller won that dramatic renewal when coming up the outside from last into the straight on Pas De Quoi to beat Waitara in 1994, a watershed year for our beloved country.

But it has been over thirty gruelling summers since Pas De Quoi, a talented and much-loved son of Roland Gardens, scored in the flagship race. Fact is that Dean has been running the show for 26 years now, and in that time, he has won the Hollywoodbets Durban July three times, a host of classics and Grade 1 contests – but the Met remains his nemesis.

“One doesn’t obsess over it, but alongside the Hollywoodbets Durban July and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, the Met is an indelible part of the holy grail of the sport in this country and I don’t want to be looking back thirty years from now wondering why,” he laughs.

Dean’s three colleagues, Michael Roberts, Andre Nel and Piet Botha are also bidding for a maiden success on Saturday.

Only five members of the fairer sex have won the Met in the last three decades, and the 4yo Potala Palace filly Red Palace looks to follow in the golden hoofprints of the likes of Oh Susanna, Smart Call, Igugu, River Jetez and Imperious Sue.

“She has been with us since 12 December and I spent some time allowing her to ease in and get used to her new surroundings. She was not at peak fitness when she ran a decent second behind Double Grand Slam in the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes on King’s Plate day. That run has brought her on and she is emptying her manger – eating more than some of the males! She is very well!”

Asked whether Red Palace’s 1 draw was an advantage, Dean says that he’d rather be drawn there than at 17!

“Red Palace has the gate speed to overcome any obstacles at the jump and Gavin (Lerena) is experienced and has won this race previously. She’s a versatile filly, so we can approach the race as it unfolds in terms of pace.”

Dean has six other runners on the day, including past winner Gimme A Prince and Cosmic Highway in the HKJC Gr1 Cape Flying Championship.

They are both 6yo’s.

“Gimme A Prince ran a peach of a race in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. He moved up at the 300m to win it, and then just emptied out late. At age 6, the 1000m Grade 1 may be quick for him, but he is well and is proven class.”

Dean says that Cosmic Highway is being aimed at the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes next month. He has had a half-set of blinkers fitted to sharpen his focus.

“He is a Hollywoodbets Kenilworth specialist of note! Don’t be surprised to see him running at them late.Go have a look at the replay of the Diadem Stakes from last year. Watch Cosmic Highway’s finish behind Thunderstruck.”

Rosh Kedesh runs in the fifth, a Winx Class 3:

“Ignore his last run. A number of my horses returned coughing around that time. His work is good. He is well. Include him!”

French Flame runs in the ninth, the City Of Cape Town Gr3 Politician Stakes:

“We thought about this race and we aren’t even sure he will stay the 1800m. But after his last good run over a distance short of his best, and the fact that Snaith’s Eight On Eighteen opted for the Met, we suddenly found ourselves in a position where French Flame’s MR of 98 (he has run to a 101) in relation to the opposition, suggests he should be here. So the handicapper is telling us something. We will take our chances!”

The Real Prince runs in the eleventh, a World Sports Betting A Stakes over 1400m:

“The Cape Flying would have been a touch quick for him and he has won his only start over Saturday’s trip going away. It’s a tricky draw to overcome, but we regard him highly and he will be right there.”

Golden Destiny runs in the twelfth, a World Sports Betting Class 4 over 1200m:

“He is better than his last two runs and strips a fit horse on Saturday. I’d be disappointed not to see him running a forward race.”

• The first race on WSB Cape Town Met day is off at 11h50.