One of South Africa’s most successful lady trainers of the modern era, Candice Bass-Robinson is all set and ready to celebrate what will be her first Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate victory at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
While the now 48 year old Candice Leigh Bass-Robinson, already a proud Durban July winner, cut her teeth and learnt the ropes from her legendary Dad Mike, it’s now time to step up again.
Mike Bass sent out four-time Queen’s Plate winner Pocket Power, 2001 winner Trademark, and then Counter Action when Candice had just turned 21.
Candice will appreciate that history, stats and fluffy adjectives mean very little when the gates are sprung shortly after 16h00 on Saturday.
“Everything is on target and on track,” said Candice in a short chat with the Sporting Post on Friday afternoon.
“Charles Dickens has done all asked of him this week most professionally, as he always does. He had his last bit of work on Wednesday and he couldn’t be better.”
When taxed about jockey Aldo Domeyer’s weight readiness, Candice said she believed all is good.
Ed – Aldo will chat to the Sporting Post this evening.
Cape Racing reports that before Charles Dickens even made his debut in April 2022, the class hierarchy was clear with Jet Dark the pre-eminent miler in South Africa after successive wins in the Queen’s Plate; and Met/ July victor, Kommetdieding topped the middle-distance category.
Charles Dickens en route to the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas knockout three weeks ago (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
However, things change quickly in horse racing – from only six starts, Charles Dickens has run the sort of off-the-charts figures that now put him on the cusp of legendary status.
Ironically, the horse to get closest to him, (beaten a neck on debut) Yellowporscheroad, has twice suffered bleeding episodes and is out of action. All other subsequent rivals have been spat out with disdain by the magnificent chestnut son of Trippi.
Watch an interview with Candice before the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas:
Recent victims include Equus juvenile champ Cousin Casey who clocked in a discouraged 4.25 lengths behind his awesome contemporary in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas whilst former Guineas winner, five-year-old, Russian Rock was thrashed by over three lengths in receipt of 1.5kg’s in November by the not-even tuned up youngster.
On pure handicapping, Charles Dickens looks formidable carrying just 55 kg’s. Banker him in the R6 million Pick 6 as it looks tougher in the other five legs.
In case you need some encouragement, watch him win the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas again:
