Charles Dickens advises trainer Candice Bass-Robinson of his well-being at Summerveld this morning (Chase Liebenberg).
Candice Bass-Robinson said Charles Dickens and Trip Of Fortune were both exceptionally good work horses at home and can not be separated on their homework.
She added, “Trip Of Fortune has improved no end this season and it will be interesting to see them clash for the first time.”
However, she then edged towards Charles Dickens and said, “Charles Dickens might be a bit better. He is obviously a younger horse and he probably has a better turn of foot, certainly a quicker turn of foot.”
The pair recently galloped together around the turn at Summerveld in the build up to Saturday’s Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
They both did their final piece of hard work at Summerveld on Tuesday.
Candice was asked what she thought about the sponsor’s price for Charles Dickens of 4/10.
She said, “It is short. Al Muthana beat him in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and he also won this race last year. Al Muthana also ran very well in his last start in the Drill Hall. So, there are horses to beat. It is not going to just be a walk in the park. But obviously I am hoping Charles is good enough to win it and I certainly believe he is good enough. He has come on from his win in the WSB Guineas.”
Charles Dickens displayed his devastating turn of foot in the latter race and won easily, despite needing it.
On the same day Trip Of Fortune, coming off a win in the Gr 1 wfa HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m, won the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, beating third-placed Al Muthana by 0,90 lengths.
Asked whether Charles Dickens might be supplemented for the Hollywoodbets Durban July after Saturday’s race Candice answered emphatically, “No.”
She was also not sure whether the superstar Drakenstein Stud-homebred Trippi colt would even go for the Gr 1 Hong Kong World Pool Champions Cup on Gold Cup day.
With no news yet about any export protocol changes, Candice said Charles Dickens’ long term aim would be the big races in the next Cape Summer Season.
She concluded, “Both horses (Charles Dickens and Trip Of Fortune) are in a very good place.”
She also commented on their “perfect draws.”
They are next to each other with Trip Of Fortune in three under Gareth Wright and Charles Dickens in four under Aldo Domeyer.
On Saturday Bass-Robinson also runs the Listed WSB Ladies Mile winner Going Up in the Gr 2 Tibouchina over 1400m. She said she had been doing well for the short time she had been at Summerveld. She does have to overcome the widest draw of all. However, the Hollywood Syndicate-owned Gimmthegreenlight filly did show a fair turn of foot in the Ladies Mile and won it by 2,25 lengths. She looks to be on the up and Aldo Domeyer knows her well.
