Last Winter may have missed almost all of this winter and Champions Season but Dean Kannemeyer has another live-wire in his care.
“He’s got the looks, pedigree and most importantly, a patient owner. I hope Lady Laidlaw was watching,” added Kannemeyer after his colt had stormed to a comfortable victory in the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap at Scottsville yesterday.
Last Winter (Nkosi Hlophe)
With Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Kaya Stables having dug deep into their pockets it would have been a surprise if ‘looks and pedigree’ had not come with the R3.7 million price tag. However, ability does not always come in expensive packages but Last Winter appears to have it all, looks, pedigree and ability.
“He’s hardly raced and will be a nice four-year-old,” said Kannemeyer. “He’s been a late developer but he’s a beautifully balanced horse and I’m excited. I’m looking forward to the summer.”
“I just hope the handicappers don’t get too carried away.”
Last Winter was rated 83 after his first start and leaped to a 91 for yesterday’s race. But the son of Western Winter took the jump in his stride and put a useful field to bed comfortably. It may be wishful thinking to hope that the handicappers were asleep.
The hard-knocking Isingamoya seldom ever puts a foot wrong for Mark Dixon and the daughter of Muhtafal notched the fifth win of her career to land the Itsarush.co.za Pinnacles Stakes ahead of a useful field.
Isingamoya (Candiese Marnewick)
Surprisingly top weight Final Judgement, more at home over seven furlongs and upwards, was the tote favourite but Isingamoya, having her third run after a lay-off, motored home ahead of Elusivenchantment who came up empty over the final 100m. “She’s been working with London Call so we were pretty confident today,” said Hailey Dixon.
Duncan Howells all but nailed down the KZN trainer’s championship, winning the first two races on the card to go nine ahead of defending champion Dennis Drier. Drier seemingly can’t buy a winner, his runners finishing second in the first three races.
With just three meetings left it will take a monumental effort from Drier to retain the championship but Howells is still cautious. “Dennis is a great trainer and he doesn’t give in. I won’t rest easy until the last race is run next Sunday.”
The Howells / De Melo combination has also proved lucrative for the young rider who is having his best season ever. He cracked his century of winners for the season on Girl In Gold for Howells in the first and followed up for the stable on Up In Smoke in the second although all the money was on Emma’s Oracle.
By Andrew Harrison
