It’s business as usual for Dean Kannemeyer’s Milnerton string after battling a low-grade virus that put the yard out of commission for nearly a month.

Dean Kannemeyer (Nkosi Hlophe)

In early February Kannemeyer shut down his Milnerton operation after discovering that many of his horses were infected with a low-grade virus. Yesterday, Kannemeyer said that things had returned to normal with his horses jumping out of their skin and training in full swing.

Kannemeyer said that in hindsight, quick and assertive action had been the saving grace.

“It has been a trying time for our team. A racing yard not racing and spending hours with slow long canters and medicating and tending ill horses is not the happiest place to be – but things have turned for the better and the spirit and vibe is back.”

He said that he had stepped up the training routine and expected to send out his first runners in Cape Town in the next ten days.

Kannemeyer added that given the firmness of the going in the Cape that the break may have come as a blessing in disguise.

“As we always do in the first two weeks of March, preparations will soon be under way for the movement of our SA Champions Season contenders to KZN for the winter feature season there.”

By Andrew Harrison