It is the silly season in which Vodacom Durban July rumours abound and one of them this year had it that It’s My Turn was on the cusp of being scratched.

Trainer Dean Kannemeyer scotched the rumour on Sunday, saying it was nonsense, and reminiscing said, “I remember in 2003 a well known media man phoning me and saying ‘What happened?!’ I replied ‘What do you mean?’ and he said ‘Dynasty is scratched!’ I replied, ‘Well he seemed to be fine when I saw him five minutes ago.”’

It’s My Turn finished second in the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby on July 11 and Kannemeyer said, “He took the run exceptionally well and pulled up sound. I was very pleased with the run, his second run back after almost two years off. I have just been cantering him this week and on Monday I will probably work him with something on the beach sand so he can just enjoy himself because he’s a fit horse. I’ve allowed the racing to get him to where I want him to be. All is good for the July. It’s a tough race but it’s like any other race, it’s tough, but he’s doing well.”

The now seven-year-old Dynasty gelding finished fourth in the July as a three-year-old and eighth the following year. 

Kannemeyer said, “It is remarkable he has come back after what he has been through. Originally he had issues and came to me and was rested and I then brought him back and he became the champion stayer of the country. But then I took him back to Cape Town and he strained a tendon so I rested him again and he’s come back and is in the July.”  

The yard have three other runners on the day including Delta Queen in the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m.  

Kannemeyer said, “Her performances have been good since she’s been in KZN but I think she is still running just below her very best. I think she is better than her last two runs in which she jumped a little awkwardly both times. Var puts a lot of speed into her but she is bred to go ground on her female side, her mother went over 2000m, but the race will tell whether she stays. She’s doing well and if she runs to her true ability, i.e. that which she shows at home, and she stays 1400m then she should be competitive.”

African Warrior runs in the Non-Black Type Compendium Insurance Brokers eThekwini Sprint over 1200m and Kannemeyer said, “As a three-year-old he ran one fair race in his comeback in the Matchem Stakes. He’s doing well and he looks well but the kick he had as a two-year-old hasn’t really been there, so I’m hoping he bounces back to himself.” 

The yard run Liberty Hall in the Listed Hollywoodbets Thukela Handicap over 1600m and he said, “He is a one-time winner, he is probably the worst handicapped horse in the country. As a two-year-old he ran second to horses who are running in the July so I’m hoping he puts his best foot forward but if you look at that rating (101) as a one-time winner its tough, sometimes if you expose a horse too early they punish you.” 

By David Thiselton