The opposition must be wondering “what the Dickens” they are up against as unbeaten, Charles Dickens again whipped overmatched rivals, this time in the G3 Cape Classic over 1400m at a revitalized Kenilworth on Saturday.
The son of Trippi has looked something out of the ordinary from the get-go and he duly won easing up at odds of 7/10 whilst attaining a brilliant figure of 106. He will target the Cape Guineas next as Bass Racing try for their first ever win in the prestigious three-year-old contest.
At My Command scored 100 back in second – a fine effort by Brett Crawford’s entry from draw 10, though he was comfortably put in his place by Charles Dickens’’ superior turn of foot.
The listed South Easter Sprint also threw out some notable speed scores. Resonate (trained by red-hot Candice Bass, as well) hit 106 + as he swept past gutsy pace-presser Surjay (s/s 105) inside the final 50m. It appears as if sprinting is his game after all and, with natural improvement, the Twice Over chestnut ex Rei Rei can pick up a Graded Stakes during the Cape Summer Season.
Another horse to take out of the race for future betting purposes is Gimme a Prince. “He’s good”, says Dean Kannemeyer of the lightly raced Gimmethegreenlight gelding who was having only his fifth start. Despite being slightly troublesome at the gates, then slow into stride, he really got underway inside the final furlong to only succumb by half a length. He has scope to improve upon an already sharp speed figure of 105 +, so should be followed.
Finally, the return of last term’s ace juvenile Trompie after a lengthy layoff was spectacular. Favourite, Hithemhardsunshine (s/s 100) ran credibly in second (needing his comeback outing) but Vaughan Marshall’s budding star drew clear with long strides in the Need for Speed Sprint, earning an excellent fig of 104 +. Both these quality youngsters can be added to your list of horses’ worth tracking.