#Candice Bass Robinson

Racing in the Western Cape reverts to the Southern Suburbs venue on Saturday where the Gr3 Cape Classic for three-year-olds over 1400m tops the nine-race card, with three minor features presenting some testing options. The Hollywoodbets Punters' Challenge has proven a hit since being introduced in the Cape and on Wednesday one desperately unlucky…

It may be more than a coincidence that both these crack 3yo's chose to challenge themselves in open company, before taking on the best of their own year. Tony Mincione writes that anyone wondering if Brett Crawford's young filly, the rated 85, was being over-faced in the Summer Bowl (a stepped handicap for Fillies and Mares which capped horses 110…

The Belgian jockey was the retained rider for the Aga Khan until an incident occurred at Saint-Cloud in September involving Rossa Ryan. Soumillon appeared to elbow Ryan out of the saddle during a race, causing him to fall, and subsequently served a 60-day suspension which led to him being released from his contract with the Aga Khan. After missing…

Candice Bass-Robinson comes across as a bubbly blonde, but racing folk are well aware this determined woman is anything but ditzy. She inherited a racing dynasty from one of the modern legends of the game, but there's no hint that she doesn't have the skill, knowledge and nous to be every bit as good a trainer of racehorses as her father…

As good as Sea Cottage and Horse Chestnut? That is hallowed turf that pundits are venturing onto in their assessment of a young horse called Charles Dickens. These are not racetrack BS artists, but respected people who know the game inside out - like Charles Faull, who described Charles Dickens's victory in a strong Allowance Plate at Kenilworth on…

Charles Dickens from the Candice Bass-Robinson yard takes his place in Race 7 and he is the best bet on the card. He is unbeaten from four starts to date. He was super-impressive when winning the Grade 3 Cape Classic over this distance on the winter course last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. This is a prep run…

Taking on five accomplished older campaigners and giving 9 kgs to a promising, albeit less experienced peer, the handsome chestnut never came off the bit as he cruised home to win the R130000 Allowance Plate over 1400m with contemptuous ease under regular pilot Aldo Domeyer. He is now undefeated in five starts and has been described by his…

The Spring season proper gets underway at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, 1 October with the Hollywoodbets Matchem and Diana Stakes being run over 1400m. Both are Grade 3 events. Cosmic Highway (speed score 112) impressed in the Diadem Stakes and is a high-quality sprinter miler. He has not run for 17 weeks and is drawn widest of all at 10,…

The R150000 Listed Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy ended well enough for most punters with the tote favourite winning it to save those that included the fancied Baratheon who kicked the back gates of the starting stalls and caught his leg in the back gates, before being withdrawn. It was a terrific day on the racing and social front, with the feature…