While his youthful demeanour may bely the fact, Dean Kannemeyer has been around racehorses for over 50 years.
He knows a good one when he sees it – but still prefers them to do the PR on the track rather than in the media.
Talking to the Sporting Post Sprint from his Summerveld yard earlier today, Kannemeyer was upbeat and quietly impressed with the way his Dynasty colt Lion’s Head made hacks of his opposition at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
Julius Mbungendlu, William Bambiso and Nicolette Roscoe lead Lion’s Head (Keagan de Melo) in (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The Drakenstein-bred 3yo races in the same famous Fieldspring Racing silks as his legendary Dad Dynasty and some reports have already drawn flickers of parallels.
“Look, he really couldn’t have been more impressive and he has a stamp of class about him that makes him a potential classic prospect in my book for the Cape Summer. He will be something even nicer in three months’ time with natural maturity and I’m excited. But horses have made fools of man since time immemorial – so let’s allow him to do the talking on the track,” said the experienced horseman who confirmed that Lion’s Head had been nominated for the Gr1 Premiers Champions Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 29 August.
The colt, who is owned in a power partnership of Karen and Sam Newsome of Fieldspring Racing, his breeder Gaynor Rupert, and the irrepressible Marsh Shirtliff, is one of 27 nominations for the usually 2yo, now 3yo, season climax on the delayed Gold Cup day.
His draw of 25 of 27 could well be the decider for the connections to skip this race.
“He is a young horse. We don’t like to rush them. Short term gain is not the answer as it costs when you have a really nice sort. I will speak to my owners and get their thoughts. Getting the sun on his back in the Cape spring and then planning a classic programme for him is where we are probably headed.”
Click here for the Hollywoodbets Greyville weights for 29 August
