Dean Kannemeyer’s KZN satellite yard has had a lucrative first full season, finishing third on the local championship log, and he could have a bright prospect for next season in the unbeaten Last Winter that lines up in the sixth at Scottsville on Sunday.

Kannemeyer has a high regard for the colt and although all has not gone smoothly, he has come back strong from his debut win and looks a cut above Sunday’s field.

“He was very backward as a two-year-old, but I gave him one run and he won that,” said Kannemeyer. “I then decided to give him a break and get him ready for the Classics but unfortunately, he had a setback.

“It was probably a blessing in disguise as he has matured and filled out.”

Given his lengthy lay-off, Last Winter showed plenty of resolve in getting the better of The Great One in his seasonal debut over Sunday’s course and distance and Brett Crawford’s runner-up has franked that form in no uncertain manner.

The opposition on Sunday consists mainly of well-exposed older runners and if the ‘second-run-after-a-lay-off’ syndrome does not kick in, Last Winter should prove too hot for his opposition.

Duncan Howells, seven clear in the race for the KZN trainer’s championship with four meetings to go after a treble at Greyville last Wednesday, could put the result beyond doubt come Sunday where he saddles a host of strong contenders.

But reigning champion Dennis Drier will not lie down without a fight and Al’s Bells is a strong contender in the card opener. Runner-up in both starts, the daughter of Captain Al will enjoy the extended sprint although she does face a tough field. Charles Laird sends out Excellistic who was close-up to the highly rated Mind Your Business last time out while Howells is well represented with Girl In Gold who is proven over the trip and has a plum draw.

Emma’s Oracle made a smart debut for the Howells yard behind stable companion Mind Your Business and is sure to make the required improvement to be a strong contender for honours in the second.

Drier saddles Taranaki in the third. The gelding found some long-shot support on debut and did not finish far back. With that experience under his girth he should make good improvement and rates a strong chance in a tricky PA opener where there are a number of debutantes. It could pay to keep an eye on the betting here.

Mark Dixon made a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure on Wednesday when Northern Rebel put his field to the sword and Dixon has a smart filly in Isingamoya in the opening leg of the Pick 6 who could get the better of a useful field. She has shown some useful form in strong company and can get the better of Elusivenchantment and Anime, the latter not having been out since January but showing plenty of potential.

In the fifth, Party Crasher can make amends for her defeat when favourite and second to Premier Dance last time out although Onesie, close-up in strong features at her last two, and the improving Sitia off bottom weight will be threats.

Choir Of Angels, unlucky behind Winter’s Coming on the Greyville poly last time out, can get some of his supporters’ money back in the seventh but he faces a difficult task in a competitive field where Cape Fling, Handsome Harvey and Heir Line are all strong contenders.

The last two races on the card are difficult lowly handicaps where anything can happen. Hot Mambo takes a significant drop in class and in the ratings which could be enough to see her more than competitive in the eighth with the balance of the more fancied runners pretty much of a muchness.

Howells could round off the day on a winning note with High Altar, a maiden winner last time out and finishing ahead of stable companion and second-paced Roy’s Hollyhock who franked that form at Greyville on Wednesday.

By Andrew Harrison