Andrew Harrison

A ‘morning glory’, the name given to horses that work bombs on the training track in the morning but don’t reproduce on the race track, are mostly a trainer’s nightmare.

No matter the excuses – valid or not – many owners don’t have the patience and the horse is shipped off to another trainer. Owners that have faith in their trainers generally get a payback when the time is right, but those loyal patrons can be few and far between.

As Anne Upton, one of the doyens of South African racing, once commented; “A trainer’s worst enemy it an owner’s best friend”. They don’t bear the costs but always have an opinion!

Trainer’s with owners who understand the sport and who have faith in their trainer’s ability and opinions are a pleasure to have in the yard.

Dean Kannemeyer is fortunate enough to have Gaynor Rupert and her Drakenstein Stud, Karen Newsome of Field Spring Racing and Marsh Shirtliff, all pre-eminent owners based in the Western Cape, in partnership with Lion’s Head who is due to step out in the seventh on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon.

Nothing really seems to fluster Kannemeyer, outwardly at least, but he expressed his relief after Lions Head turned on the gas to win his last start in smart fashion.

Gelded and trying the trip for the first time, Lion’s Head accelerated smartly off what was a rather pedestrian pace to put his opposition to bed in a few strides after being nearer last that first turning for home.

An expensive yearly purchase – not necessary the hallmark of a good horse but rather a specimen – Lion’s Head may have taken time to get his act together, but ‘two stones’ lighter and a trip may have finally brought out the best in him.

Lion’s Head faces a more testing task today, that should shed some light on where he is headed, with Gentleman’s Wager, Magical Midlands and the seemingly under-performing African Sunrise in opposition.

You won’t get rich backing Hasta Manana in the card opener as she is deep in the red in the ante-post market but he should be able to boost your bank balance for the rest of the card.

He has put in two smart sprints but should enjoy this trip and has drawn well. Bush Tracker and Arumugam look the main threats.

Top Honours and Neverending Love should see you through the opening leg of the PA but it may pay to keep an eye on the nicely bred first time from the Gareth van Zyl yard, Alittlebitnaughty.

In the third, Quenanza showed good improvement with first time blinkers and she should much prefer this long trip. She makes her poly debut along with Capriana who is seldom far off the pace. The cheek-pieces go on which could see her into the money. Odds-on ante-post favourite is Paul Lafferty’s runner Bella Siccome who made a smart poly debut over course and distance, only run out of it late after making most of the running.

The fourth is something of an open contest but Red Rising made a smart debut on the poly and should come on lengths from that showing.

But there are a number of others that warrant consideration including Airbuzz, Intombi and Namaqua Dove.

The next is a wide-open handicap and it should pay to load up in the exotics. It Must Be Love tops the boards but it is 4-1 the field. Retail Therapy, Beat It and Miss Generosity could prove the pick.

Although the sixth is a maiden, Master Of The North obviously impressed the handicappers as he got a massive increase in the ratings after finishing second over course and distance last time out. He made most of the running that day when stepped up in trip and a repeat could see him go one better. Deorsa has been knocking at the door for some time now but goes this trip for the first time and could finally crack it while Command Council stays the trip and Fourie has stuck by him in this weak field.

In the last, Loving The Victory has the widest draw but has gone close at her last two over course and distance. She could be the one to beat although there are plenty in with chances. Golden Trip did not show first up for her new stable but had shown some promise in the Cape. This is her poly debut and one to watch in the betting.