Dean Kannemeyer, disclosing the full extent of the setback, said at the weekend: “I had to scratch him from the Champions Cup because he rapped himself in work, bruising his near-fore tendon, and I then confined him to walking for three months.

“I could have walked him for just six weeks but he is a valuable horse and I decided to give him time. Touch wood, he has been fine since. I would have started him in the Green Point but I want him to come on so that I have him right for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.”

Kannemeyer, who won the 2003 Cape Merchants with 25-1 shot Honour The Guest, will also run Hot Ticket on Sunday even though the trip is way too short for last season’s Betting World Stakes and Nokia Gold Vase winner. Again a setback is the reason. The Milnerton trainer explained: “He had an infection in the guttural pouch so I had to ease up on him and I want to give him a blow over 1 200m.”

Kannemeyer, looking for his sixth Cape Guineas in 11 seasons, galloped his main hope Afrikaburn at Kenilworth on Saturday.

He said: “It was pacework over seven furlongs and he went nicely. I haven’t made up my mind yet whether he runs in the Green Point or in the Selangor Cup on the same day. I’ve won the Green Point with three-year-olds before (Roman Charger, Dynasty and Royal Opinion) and I also have Balance Sheet in both races. He did nice pacework on the course on Saturday.”

Picture: Liesl King