Dean Kannemeyer has what looks to be his best attack in some years and is looking forward to a good Cape Summer Season.
He was talking to the Sporting Post after the exciting Yorker half-brother Track Attack went down narrowly at his second outing at Durbanville on Wednesday.
Anderson (Robert Khathi) flies up late to hold off Track Attack (Keagan de Melo) in a tight finish (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
It was so close, Kannemeyer thought Keagan de Melo had done enough to hold Robert Khathi and the flying Justin Snaith-trained Anderson.
“We would have loved to have gotten the maiden win out the way. But he is looking for 2000m to be most effective. He relaxed well and then quickened – that’s encouraging from an educational viewpoint and he will be much more at home at Kenilworth,” he confirmed of Khaya Stables’ imposing Dynasty colt.
Kannemeyer said that the performance of African Warrior, the only 3yo in the Matchem Stakes line-up last Saturday, was also most encouraging.
“He keeps showing us that he has the heart of a lion and a turn of foot any athlete would relish. He is not big but he doesn’t suffer fools and takes no nonsense from anybody or any horse in the yard. In a human parallel, he is the tough guy that doesn’t avoid trouble when it finds him!”
African Warrior – heart, ability and character! (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
African Warrior is South Africa’s highest 3yo male and will probably go the route of the Gr3 Cape Classic into the Guineas.
“I have some really lovely young horses and am looking forward to the classics. Nobody forgets how to train racehorses – it’s a game of cycles. We all get our turn and I’m looking forward to getting back amongst the silverware again.”
Dean was licenced in 1999 after being one of South Africa’s longest serving assistants and took over from his late Dad, Peter.
Flashback to Greyville 19 years ago – Colonial Girl’s rider Glen Hatt is second right- Dean is far right. John Freeman is far left
Colonial Girl’s 2000 Gr1 Gold Cup win for the partnership of Gary Player, Terry Burgess, Mike Jolly and Dave King was his first Gr1 success.
He once summed up the secret to success.
“I was taught very early. You have to feed them well , sleep them well and exercise them well. And they will look after you. My father also always said: Show me a good owner and then show me a good horse.”
