Miler Dave The King might be trying to win the Gold Challenge for the third time and champion trainer Justin Snaith out to score his fourth, but Dean Kannemeyer believes that The Real Prince can spoil both parties at Greyville.

The 17-time group one-winning trainer has no hesitations in backing his five-year-old stable headline act to topple his opponents in the 1600-metre Group 1.

"This is going to be one hell of a race and we have the best weight-for-age horses in the country running," Kannemeyer said.

"The Real Prince, he's a top horse and he won the Durban July last year with the right weight and the right draw."

The Real Prince finished outside of the placings over 1400m at Group 2 level at this course but Kannemeyer throws back to his gutsy victory in the King's Plate (1600m) at Kenilworth in January as the best pointer to his chances.

"The King's Plate is one of the best 1600-metre weight-for-age races in South Africa," Kannemeyer added.

"We went to the 1400-metre race trying get him on fresh legs and sharpening him up to allow that run to bring him on for this race and I think the mile could be his best distance.

"He's doing exceptionally well and his last prep run, he made a lot of ground up the inside.

"I am as happy as I can be and I have got him just where I want him to be."

The 2026 Durban July (2200m) is also a World Pool race on July 4 but despite winning it last year, Kannemeyer is reluctant to defend The Real Prince's title having been allotted 61-kilos (134.5 pounds) for this edition.

"I may have my doubts about running him in the Durban July with that weight," he added.

"The focus will be this race and then at the end of the season the Champions Cup (1800m) which he ran second in last year after the Durban July."

Regular rider Craig Zackey stays aboard The Real Prince in the Gold Challenge.

Throughout Zackey's career which began in 2012, after more than 13,600 rides his winning strike-rate sits at 11% with a 33% place rate.

Among his 23 group one victories, he is yet to ride the winner of the Gold Challenge.

Photo: Candiese Lenferna