Plan comes together for Kannemeyer

GETTING a thoroughbred racehorse to peak on exactly the right day is a mystery science for the average punter. The Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July is one of the marquee races on horse racing's world stage but behind the scenes it takes extensive knowledge by the trainer and his support staff to carry out the brief. It is planning for the right horse, hopefully no hiccups and a work of art in training to peak fitness in order to reach that goal.

- ANDREW HARRISON

That said, it goes for all races, big or small, but when targeting Africa’s biggest horse race, the planning is detailed from as long as a year in advance and pressures are enormous.

Snaith

Justin Snaith did it with Belgarion in 2020, Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford with Kommetdieding and Brett Crawford twice with Winchester Mansion and last year Oriental Charm. But it was a little more difficult this year as The Real Prince was already well exposed.

Kannemeyer plotted every step of the way on how to get The Real Prince into the race off a competitive weight also considering that there were doubts about the gelding’s stamina limitations over the 2200m trip. The Real Prince had never won further than 1600m and his full brother, Gimmer A Prince, was crowned the country’s champion sprinter two seasons back.

But it was a plan come together said Kannemeyer, speaking in the third person as is his wont, in his post-race interview explaining the way into the race.

After The Real Prince romped home in his first attempt at a mile it was a case of: “Where were we going to place him? The first time we tried him over a mile he won by six lengths.