A deviation from one of the philosophies of a master trainer was Dean Kannemeyer’s only reservation when he opted to step recent 1200m maiden winner Let It Burn up to the 1400m at Kenilworth on Wednesday at just his third start.
“My late Dad knew his stuff and he had certain time-tested policies he never deviated from – one being that when a horse needing more ground wins over 1200m, you go the mile or stick to the 1200m at his next start. This 1400m was on the programme – I looked at it and entered him. I left it in the lap of the gods, thinking draw well and we will run. It worked out and I think the owners could have some fun with him!”
Cheryl and Dr Reiner Gabler lead Let It Burn (Keagan de Melo) in after a good win (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Kannemeyer, who has three runners in Saturday’s Cape Guineas as he bids for the family’s tenth success in the historic classic, explained that 1400m was a ‘neither here nor there’ distance and was very often no man’s land for a horse being stepped up.
But all’s well that end’s well, and Cheryl and Dr Reiner Gabler were on hand to lead their promising son of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight in as the shadows lengthened at Kenilworth.
The Gablers, who have enjoyed tremendous success with the likes of the smashing Linebacker amongst others, own the Team Valor-bred gelding in partnership with David Abery and Mauritius-based Dr Jamie Lee Sim.
Cheryl Gabler wished David Abery a speedy recovery from his recent illness, and congratulated Dr Sim, who celebrated his birthday on the same day Let It Burn won his maiden. Dr Sim also has Love On Time – another recent maiden winner- running in the sixth race at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon.
Let It Burn is out of the six time winning Jet Master She’s On Fire and cost R550 000 at Nationals.
“He is still a baby and green,” added Keagan de Melo, who banked two winners on the afternoon to take his season tally to 52 and a respectable 5th spot on the national log.
Returning from a suspension, the perpetual newmaker Grant van Niekerk was the most successful rider on the afternoon, grabbing three as he got his eye in for Saturday, when he partners Pacaya in the Cape Guineas.
Richard Fourie -riding with confidence (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Since breaking away to ride freelance, Richard Fourie is back with a bang and he partnered two winners for Eric Sands. Their second winner, the 4yo Millstream Farm- bred Perfect Trust, really caught the eye as a filly who could go on to better things.
The Wilgerbosdrift-owned daughter of Vercingetorix put it all together at her tenth start to win with authority.
“When you ride work for Mr Sands, there are no names just numbers. I recall saying to him this can’t be a maiden!” laughed Fourie.
- The next Kenilworth meeting is the major day on Saturday – first race off at 12h35.
