Vodacom Durban July hero Power King is among 34 powerful entries for this year’s R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday October 31.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer had said a while back he could be bringing Power King to the Highveld for a shot at the R2-million SANSUI Summer Cup over 2000m at the end of November. He is one of three runners from the Kannemeyer stable nominated for the Charity Mile, the others being Afrikaburn, who is sure to love the Turffontein 1600m, and Solar Star, a five-time winner from 17 starts.
All three are currently based at Kannemeyer’s Summerveld satellite yard and, if they run, will raid from there. “I only brought the majority of my Durban Champions Season horses home to Cape Town last Thursday so I could do their African horse sickness vaccinations in the warmth – it only really starts warming up in Cape Town from late October, early November,” said Kannemeyer. “Some, like Power King, Afrikaburn, Solar Star, Master James and Hot Ticket remained behind to, perhaps, run in Johannesburg during the spring season.”
He added his plans had not yet been finalised. “They have been provisionally nominated. We still have to have a look at the conditions and handicaps and do what’s best for the horses.”
Justin Snaith, who has stables locally, has entered Dynamic and Ultimate Dollar, who finished third behind Deputy Judd in the recent Supreme Cup, sponsored by SAP, over 1450m on the Vaal sand.
He could get a second crack at Deputy Judd as Mike Azzie has entered the son of Judpot into the Charity Mile. Azzie has also nominated Prince Of Orange.
As expected there is a strong entry from the Mike de Kock yard which is headed up by Mitraad, a winner of four of his five starts. Other De Kock entries are Kingmambo’s Legacy, Anjaal, Flying The Flag and Toro Rosso.
Mitraad’s lone defeat was to Zambezi River and he is one of five entries from the Sean Tarry yard. Among the others are Equus Champion Three-Year-Old French Navy and Heavy Metal.
This year’s Charity Mile will be the biggest yet, with the 16 chosen charities receiving a share of R1 million, a dramatic increase from last year’s total of R550,000.
The barrier draw, which will be held at Emperors Palace on 21 October, will decide which of the 16 thoroughbreds will represent which charity. Sixteen celebrities will each be matched with a charity for the day.
The charity who draws the winning horse will receive R150,000, the charity represented by the runner-up will receive R100,000 with the other 14 charities getting proportionate amounts of the total donation, depending on the allocated horse’s placement.
Supplementary entries close at 11am on Friday after which the weights will be posted.
Declarations close at 10am on Tuesday 20 October and the final field will be announced at a special event on Wednesday 21 October when the draws will be made. The draw for charities and celebrities will be performed at the same function. (TABNews)
Entries for the R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 31 October in order of merit ratings:
| French Navy | (4G) | Sean Tarry | 113 |
| Power King | (5G) | Dean Kannemeyer | 109 |
| Bouclette Top (ARG) | (5G) | Alec Laird | 108 |
| Flying The Flag (IRE) | (6H) | Mike de Kock | 108 |
| Bezanova | (5G) | Alec Laird | 107 |
| Deputy Jud | (4G) | Mike Azzie | 107 |
| Rampant Ice | (4G) | Weiho Marwing | 106 |
| Bold Inspiration | (5G) | Charles Laird | 105 |
| Halve The Deficit | (7G) | Sean Tarry | 105 |
| Master Sabina | (6G) | Geoff Woodruff | 105 |
| Afrikaburn | (4G) | Dean Kannemeyer | 104 |
| Killua Castle (AUS) | (6G) | Geoff Woodruff | 104 |
| Mac De Lago (AUS) | (4C) | Weiho Marwing | 104 |
| Whiteline Fever | (7G) | Sean Tarry | 103 |
| Zambezi River | (4G) | Sean Tarry | 103 |
| Heavy Metal | (7G) | Sean Tarry | 102 |
| Ultimate Dollar | (4G) | Justin Snaith | 102 |
| Anjaal (AUS) | (4G) | Mike de Kock | 101 |
| Disco Al | (6G) | Joey Ramsden | 101 |
| Dynamic | (6G) | Justin Snaith | 101 |
| M L Jet | (4G) | Gavin van Zyl | 101 |
| The Hangman | (6G) | Sean Tarry | 100 |
| Shadow Ofhis Smile | (5G) | Geoff Woodruff | 99 |
| The Captain’s Tune | (4G) | Geoff Woodruff | 99 |
| Solar Star | (5G) | Dean Kannemeyer | 98 |
| Toro Rosso (BRZ) | (4C) | Mike de Kock | 98 |
| Mitraad (AUS) | (4G) | Mike de Kock | 97 |
| Saratoga Dancer | (4G) | Duncan Howells | 95 |
| Prince Of Orange | (4G) | Mike Azzie | 93 |
| Master ‘n Commander | (4G) | Geoff Woodruff | 92 |
| Pivotal Pursuit | (6G) | Gary Alexander | 91 |
| Kingmambo’s Legacy | (4G) | Mike de Kock | 90 |
| National Key | (6G) | Brian Wiid | 90 |
| Fulcrum | (6G) | Weiho Marwing | 85 |
Picture: Power King winning the 2015 Vodacom Durban July (Nkosi Hlophe)
