Cape superstar Charles Dickens made an unheralded appearance without any paparazzi, delirious fans or other distractions at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth early on Saturday as part of his final preparation for the R1,5 million Gr1 Cape Derby which will be run on Saturday 25 February.
Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson told the Sporting Post that she was pleased with what the son of Trippi showed as he galloped smartly over a mile with two stablemates, under regular pilot Aldo Domeyer.
Aldo Domeyer and Charles Dickens stepped out at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
He last saw action when beaten narrowly by longshot Al Muthana in the L’Ormarins’s King’s Plate on 7 January.
“Charles Dickens did what we asked of him on Saturday morning and he is in good shape,” confirmed the Milnerton lady trainer.
There were only 13 entries for the final classic of the Cape summer and with the scratching of Innamorare, there are currently 12 left with supplementaries seeming unlikely, but due by 11h00 on Tuesday.
The final field for the Cape Derby class of 2023 will be announced on Wednesday, after declarations.
Justin Snaith, who saddled Pomp And Power to win last year’s renewal, has already accepted with seven runners, spearheaded by eyecatching Politician Stakes winner, Rockpool.
| 6 | At My Command | Brett Crawford | 114 | |
| 4 | Charles Dickens | Candice Bass-Robinson | 132 | |
| 5 | Cosmic Event | Justin Snaith | 86 | |
| 7 | Grinkov | Glen Kotzen | 102 | |
| 3 | Innamorare | Scratched | Justin Snaith | 93 |
| 12 | Itsrainingwilliam | Justin Snaith | 106 | |
| 1 | King Regent | Glen Kotzen | 105 | |
| 8 | Mucho Dinero | Justin Snaith | 87 | |
| 2 | Nevada King | Justin Snaith | 87 | |
| 13 | Rockpool | Justin Snaith | 101 | |
| 11 | See It Again | Michael Roberts | 104 | |
| 9 | Triple Time | Justin Snaith | 104 | |
| 10 | Without Question | Justin Snaith | 99 | |
| (13) | ||||
We asked Candice if she feared the Snaith onslaught?
“Should I? Justin started off with just about no Derby runners, now he has seven! And if the Snaith horses weren’t there, we may not have had a race. As long as my horse is in good shape, he is my priority and focus,” she smiled.
