Just days after Green With Envy’s sensational Gr1 Daily News 2000 victory, it is business as usual at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday for trainer Dean Kannemeyer, who saddles two Grade 1 runners on the bumper Golden Horse Sprint raceday card.
On the very same raceday last year, Dean saddled Khaya Stables’ smashing 4yo Gimme A Prince, who registered his second Grade 1 win of that season with a scintillating score in the Golden Horse Sprint.
Dean Kannemeyer receives his Daily News trophy from the sponsor’s Editor Mazwi Xaba, as Gold Circle Director Mayesh Chetty looks on (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
While Dean doesn’t have a runner in the handicap on Saturday, he does saddle two live chances to add to his Gr1 haul, in the impressive debut winner Gimmie’s Countess, who lines up in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, and the hardknocking Hollywood Syndicate galloper, Shantastic.
“Gimmie’s Countess is a sister to Gimme A Prince, their dam being Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint star, Real Princess, who won that in 2016 under present day Hollywood Syndicate Racing Manager, Anthony Delpech! She is a high-quality filly and won very well on her polytrack debut two weeks ago.”
He points out that the form was confirmed when the runner-up Spirit Of Levana won impressively at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
“She beat a horse of ours whom we regard highly. It is difficult to guage form in a 2yo feature, where they are all improving at different rates, and some are more precocious than others. Hollywoodbets Scottsville can also catch them out, first time there. I have never won this race, but I wouldn’t be letting Gimmie’s Countess take her chances if I didn’t think a lot of her,” added the veteran.
On Shantastic, who runs in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, Dean observes that the 4yo daughter of Rafeef has held her own in very decent fairer sex sprinting company.
“She ran a cracker in the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes and the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes in the Cape summer. She was given a rest on the farm, and she’s come back with enthusiasm. I had no pipe-opener options for her, so ran her against the boys first time back. She stayed on 2,70 lengths off Hithemhardsunshine, to whom she conceded 1,5 kgs, and is no slouch, himself. She has her first run in the KZN Capital City, but is a mature, sensible and tough filly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the mix!”
The man who has trained three Durban July winners and a host of classic horses, including his first Gr1 winner Colonial Girl, who won the Gold Cup less than 12 months after he took over the family operation in 1999, offered some feedback on his Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Green With Envy after Saturday’s humdinger.
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