Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson registered her biggest success since taking the reins from her famous Dad, when the Go Deputy gelding Icy Trail scored an eyecatching win in the R400 000 Gr2 Premier Trophy at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Grant van Niekerk (red jacket) steers Icy Trail to an eyecatching win, Krambambuli (Aldo Domeyer – blue cap) beaten narrowly. Favourite Prince Of Wales (gold cap) is beaten into fourth (Pic – Wayne Marks)
It has been a tough few months converting the seconds into firsts for the Bass Racing Team, who will be hoping that Icy Trail’s courageous win will mark a change in the 40 year old family operation’s fortunes.
The Brian and Kathy Finch-owned 4yo certainly came into the eight horse field looking to have a tough task at the weights, but scored his third win in succession and showed that he could be much better than rated.
After their Jet Master Stakes disappointment with Horizon, the combination was keen to change their luck – particularly the young jockey who turned zero to hero after coming out of the previous race something of the villain of the peace.
Grant Van Niekerk – redeemed himself with a strong ride
Icy Trail was relaxed a few lengths off them early, as his stablemate Helderberg Blue led Dynamic and Prince Of Wales.
The lead changed hands around halfway as Greg Cheyne upped the ante on Dynamic.
With Dynamic bringing the field for home, Krambambuli was the first to challenge as Icy Trail went with him, with a half length to make up.
At the 300m an aggressively ridden Icy Trail hit the front as Grant van Niekerk kept him going to ward off Krambambuli, who came again to only be beaten 0,30 lengths in a time of 112,21 secs.
Mike de Kock Sun Met hopeful Bold Rex was given every chance but again appeared to throw in the towel late in proceedings. He finished third. but in his defence it may well be that he just does not stay this far.
The 5-2 favourite Prince Of Wales did not have the easiest of passages, but was finishing best to be only beaten a length back in fourth.
A R270 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the Lammerskraal Stud-bred Icy Trail is by Go Deputy out of the nine-time winning Jallad mare, Icy Air.
He has won 6 races with 3 places from 14 starts, for stakes of R566 025.
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Gr2 Premier Trophy (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, December 17, R400k, 1800m, turf, good, 1.52.21
1 – ICY TRAIL (SAF), 58.5, b g 4, Go Deputy (USA) – Icy Air (SAF) by Jallad (USA). Owner Mr B P & Mrs K Finch; Breeder Lammerskraal Stud; trainer C Bass-Robinson; jockey G v Niekerk
2 – Krambambuli (SAF), 59.0, ch g 5, Black Minnaloushe (USA) – Sailing To Rio (AUS) by Woodman (USA)
3 – Bold Rex (SAF), 52.0, b g 3, Bold Silvano (SAF) – Rexana (SAF) by National Assembly (CAN)
Margins: 0.30, 0.20, 0.50
