Capetown Noir wears the blinkers in a race for the first time
Champion miler Capetown Noir enjoyed his final 600m gallop at Clairwood on Thursday and trainer Dean Kannemeyer declared it all systems go for the Vodacom Durban July.
“It is now up to my top jockey and in the lap of the gods,” he said.
The Milnerton trainer, who sent out Dynasty and Eyeofthetiger to win the July in the past,laughed at suggestions that the move to fit the blinkers to the star miler for the first time in a major race was a sign of desperation.
“There are plenty of experts in racing and everyone is entitled to their opinion. My decision to fit the quarter cup blinkers was taken as a strategic move to get him to focus on the task at hand. His gallop last Thursday at Greyville was top drawer and the way he quickened and changed legs suggests that it may prove to be the correct move. He is a colt rising five and he has been a bit flat-footed late in some of his races at Greyville.”
Kannemeyer added that there was precedent and cited the example of their horse Pas De Quoi who also wore the headgear for the first time when winning the 1994 Met.
He said that Capetown Noir’s wide draw was not ideal, but that the smart colt was spot-on and had one of the most experienced jockeys in the country in the irons. “While I have every respect for the 3yo’s,I know how good he is and Capetown Noir is jumping out of his skin. One only has to look at the form of last season here in KZN to understand that he cannot be far off them. We naturally don’t want the going sticky but if things work out well, he will go close. He is the best of the older horses.But the race will tell.”
Hot Ticket needs a genuine pace
Of his Gr2 Gold Vase contender Hot Ticket, he said that he was hoping for a genuine pace as his charge was the best stayer in the race.
“He has earned his stripes and is twice the horse he was last season. He has matured into a beautiful strong specimen and is going places. The Greyville straight only becomes a negative if they go slowly.”
Kannemeyer has had terrific success for owner Fred Crabbia and he saddles the undefeated Trippi colt Afrikaburn in the Gr1 Golden Horseshoe.
Dean Kannemeyer looking forward to his three runners on July day
We observed that the Drakenstein bred colt was quite short in the betting.
“I hear he is short in the betting. Maybe that is just respect for Kannemeyer,” he said with a smile.
“No seriously, this youngster shows me nothing at home but produces at the racecourse. He was not ready first time when slow and green before winning over Saturday’s course and distance. Next time he won that sprint over 1200m which is not his game. I would have preferred a mile but he has earned his place and with some Gr1 horses in the field he will be tested. He is fit and thankfully has pulled a nice draw.”
The July has once again attracted plenty of good natured debate between Sporting Post readers. Let us know what you think!
WILLIAM MILKOVITCH wrote: I too, rate Capetown Noir as classy and the best miler in the country. However, I respectively summit that CTNoir is to too good to be ignored in a 1200 to1800m race but not 2200m. In other words, let’s say he is way off form and returns to a race like the “old Mainstay 1800″ at Clairwood, he would indeed be to classy to ignore. Another point is that his jockey is only seen to be at his best when the pace is on on on! The race must be setup for Mr. Neisuis. I have noticed that Cape Town’s favorite jockey lacks the bravado to change tactics, in the earlier part of feature races, were a slow pace is prevalent. The most glaring example of that was Dynasty’s defeat in the Cape Guineas when Mr. Neisuis was outwitted by Domini Man, Mr. Shea and Mr. de Kock. Another marvelous example was Capetown Noir’s last ran. It’s there for all to see. Why couldn’t Mr. Neisuis take a chance and adjust his riding style on the day, just for that race ? Happy punting
ROB wrote: I wonder how many winners MR Milkovitch has ridden in his esteemed career? I know Karl Neisius is well on his way to 4000 including many feature wins. This is not achieved by not being adaptable. But MR M is obviously an astute grandstand jockey so let him have his say!
WILLIAM MILKOVITCH wrote: That’s right Mr Champion, its’ inscribed in our constitution. I would expect you to defend Mr.Neisius with his kind hands, many winners and all. Enjoy the July, Sir. 
