With KZN visitor Neptune’s Rain withdrawn, Candice Bass-Robinson looks to hold a very strong hand in the $500 000 CTS 1200 at Kenilworth on Saturday.
The race is also the first leg of the first Pick 6 and gets under way at 13h45.
Magical Wonderland – must be the one to beat
The CTS 1200 and CTS 1600 are restricted to eligible graduates of the 2016 Cape Premier Yearling Sale held on 21 and 22 January 2016, the CTS March Yearling Sale held on 19 and 20 March 2016 and the Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale held on 21 April 2016.
Ashburton-based Duncan Howells and his connections have suffered a body blow courtesy of the AHS controls, and this opens the door for the Bass-Robinson quartet to enjoy a stranglehold on this well-endowed sprint.
Aldo Domeyer partners What A Winter filly Magical Wonderland who bounced back to form down the straight track last time in a scintillating victory in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes. That run showed comprehensively that her form around the turn was inferior to what she has shown over Saturday’s course and distance, and she looks a very difficult filly to stop.
Dutch Philip – gets on well with Grant van Niekerk
Her stablemate Dutch Philip was a top 2yo last term and produced a cracking late run to get within a length of Silicone Valley in the Gr2 Cape Merchants in his penultimate start. His last run in the Diadem Stakes was less impressive. but he runs for Grant Van Niekerk and must be a serious threat.
Gr1 winner Sand And Sea produced a slightly better effort when three lengths off Sir Frenchie in the Sophomore Sprint last time. It is worrying that he looked decidedly one paced late in the race and he needs to reconfirm his early reputation.
Speedpoint – Richard Fourie rides again
Joey Ramsden’s Speedpoint came back smartly to win the Need For Speed Sprint at his last outing and this is another fellow who showed some smart form as a 2yo. He steps up 200m but is not a tearaway sort and needs to be taken seriously.
Dean Kannemeyer’s Dynasty’s Boy shed his maiden less impressively than one would have expected last time out at Durbanville. But he is highly regarded and may well be worth quartet consideration.
Justin Snaith’s Kasimir has won his last three races on the trot and could have the edge on Speedpoint on their last clash.
Joey Soma’s Lobo’s Legend looks promising and may be best of the rest at his first Cape start.
Magical Wonderland was very impressive last time. Is she a Pick 6 banker? That will need nerves of steel – but you could be smiling! If you go wide then the likes of Dutch Philip, Sand And Sea, Lobo’s Legend and even Dynasty’s Boy may warrant inclusion.
Break a leg!
