Candice Bass became the first female trainer to win the Durban July when the Silvano gelding Marinaresco prevailed in 2017 (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
David Mollett
Nine years ago, a young lady stood in the number one box at Greyville beaming from ear to ear. She had just won South Africa’s most famous race, the Durban July, in her first season as a trainer.
That person was Candice Bass and her winning horse was Marinaresco ridden by Bernard Fayd’Herbe.
Is it possible that another Candice could be the next female to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July in nine weeks time on July 4?
The answer to that question is yes. Randjesfontein trainer, Candice Dawson, who shares the licence with her sister Tammy, has a live candidate in three year-old, Trust.
The son of Heavenly Blue out of a Frankel mare, Trust won the Dingaans in November and – more recently – was beaten only a head by Grand Empire in the SA Classic.
Commenting on female trainers in an early interview, Candice said: “I believe that as women we have to work a little harder to achieve what we want, but it only makes us stronger.”
She spent 10 years as assistant to Geoff Woodruff and is full of praise for the former champion trainer. “He is an incredible horseman and was always willing to share his insight and knowledge.”
Regarding her current operation, she was quoted as saying “Winning races is a serious team effort. From our staff to our owners, jockeys, farriers, feed merchants, everybody plays their part. If we fail in one area in breaks the momentum.”
Candice knows the way to the winners box at Greyville for on July day last year she won the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe with Chronicle King who is also entered for this year’s July. Her winner started at 33-1 and delighted bookies as he beat the heavily-backed favourite ridden by Richard Fourie.
If Candice read Turf Talk editor’s excellent piece headlined “Highveld 3-Y-O Trio Are the July Value” then she will be even more confident that Trust has a big shout.
The meat of David’s analysis was this:
“As things stand all of Splittheeights, Grand Empire and Trust will be getting 10 kg from See It Again in the July which is eight kilos better than weight-for-age. That puts them – strictly on paper – a ridiculous 15 to 16 lengths clear of See It Again on collateral formlines.”
Any punter reading this and intending to back the nine-time winner will surely have a rethink.
I had a quick word with Candice at the Yearling Sales and – obviously to protect the merit-rating – she said Trust wouldn’t run in the Daily News 2000. She said regular pilot, Serino Moodley, would be in the saddle.
Sean Tarry, whose team was in terrific form at Turffontein on Tuesday, is chasing a third July win and R400 000 buy, Grand Empire, looks overpriced at 16-1. The son of Vercingetorix boasts four wins and two seconds from six starts.
However, with Craig Zackey contracted to Dean Kannemeyer’s stable, he will have to find another lightweight and I’m wondering whether he might contact Lyle Hewitson in Hong Kong and see if he’s available. Lyle rode many winners for the stable before his departure for the Far East.
Splittheeights – second in the Gauteng Guineas – couldn’t be in safer hands than Matt and Mike De Kock but – unless Raymond Danielson can go on a similar diet to Garth Puller when he won on Bush Telegraph in 1987 – they too may have to shop around for a lightweight.
Many pundits – notably Clyde Basel – are in the camp of Note To Self for the July. I also managed a quick word with Andrew Fortune at the Sales and asked him which Snaith horse he would ride if he had to make a decision that day (April 16). He replied: “Note To Self but I’m a little worried that the track may not suit him.”
Here we bring back David Thiselton. He points out that – on a line through Happy Verse – Note To Self is about on a par with Jan Van Goyen who has beaten four lengths by Grand Empire in the SA Classic.
I was a busy guy at the Sales and also caught up with another Randjesfontein trainer, the much-respected Roy Magner. I told him I had taken 11-1 a place on his filly, Olivia’s Way, when the betting opened and he said “take some more.”
Olivia’s Way ran on to finish third in the Premier’s Champions Challenge (what an earner she’s been for ebullient owner Gerald Sadleir) and Roy said Marco Van Rensburg would be in the irons at Greyville.
Champion apprentice in 2001-2002, Marco has won on some top horses including Greys Inn and celebrated his 43rd birthday a fortnight ago.
What has to be pointed out is that – by protecting their merit-ratings – there is a risk of some not making the final field. The selection panel have a big task ahead of them this year.
So what of the KZN challenge? There’s Betway Summer Cup victor Mocha Blend, but the province’s best hope may lie with five year-old, King Pelles. I lost money on him in the Cup where he started 5-2 and somehow managed to trail in 16 lengths behind the winner.
Since then – back on home turf – he has turned in two useful efforts and he will be staying on when some others have cried enough.
At the announcement of the 63 entries, Hollywood’s Devin Heffer said “every year the race gets better and better.” No argument with that assessment.
