With Hollywood offering 7-1 about Dean Kannemeyer’s Gr1 Summer Cup runner It’s My Turn, there will be many holding on to the theory that the Anton Marcus magic can get the Equus Champion Stayer to lift to his A-game for the Turffontein 2000m contest on Saturday.
“He only really gets going at 2000m so it won’t be a cakewalk by any means,” suggests Dean Kannemeyer of the Fred Crabbia owned son of Dynasty – one of a quintet of progeny sired by the Ridgemont Highlands champion in the race.
Anton Marcus unsaddles after the Gold Cup – he is in the saddle again
“That said, he is fit and well and, while not wishing to underestimate the opposition, but considering the depth of the field, I am pleased that we decided to take our chances,” Kannemeyer said of the Fred Crabbia-owned galloper who came into his own with an outstanding hat-trick of feature victories at the end of last term.
We put it to Dean that It’s My Turn had won the Investec Cape Derby over 2000m as a 3yo.
“He was younger and having developed into a top-class stayer, he has lost some of his natural speed. I was looking at his early form and he actually won first time out over 1300m and also ran Met winner Whisky Baron to 3,75 lengths over 1500m. Then ran just over 2 lengths third to the same top horse in the 1800m Peninsula Handicap. So he is a classy and really genuine horse and his prep has gone well.”
Dean had planned to give the Gold Cup winner a prep run in a mile Pinnacle Stakes.
“That didn’t happen as they changed the conditions of the race. But he has had two good Barrier Trial blow-outs over 1000m in October and November at Greyville. And last Friday he galloped a mile with two companions at Summerveld. He has never been a track horse but stretched nicely and reserves his big performances for when it counts.”
Dean Kannemeyer – looking for a big run
It’s My Turn will travel from Summerveld at around 07h30 on Friday morning.
“I expect him to get to Turffontein around mid afternoon. Joey Soma has kindly given us some space. It’s My Turn will have a walk and a nice roll in the sand and then it’s D-Day on Saturday. We intend to return to Summerveld on Sunday morning,” he concluded.
