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Drakenstein Stud homebred Charles Dickens with Drakenstein owner Gaynor Rupert and Dickens trainer Candice Bass-Robinson (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Candice Bass-Robinson said a call to run Charles Dickens in the WSB Cape Town Met would only be made after the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

 
The superstar Trippi colt makes his much anticipated reappearance in the Gr 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
 
Candice said, “He’s doing well. It will be a prep run for the season, so he’s not at his peak fitness, but he needs to be nice and fresh.”
 
She was asked whether she thought he would come into his own this season.
 
She replied, “He’s a magnificent looking horse at the moment. He’s strengthened up now as a four-year-old too, so I would think this should hopefully be his best season.”
 
She is not happy to see Charles Dickens favourite for the Met.
 
She said, “I don’t know why they make horses favourite for the July and the Met before they even know whether they are running in those races. I am not necessarily running him in the Met, I will make that decision after the King’s Plate.”
 
After The Rain from draw two looks likely to be the pacemaker in the Matchem.
 
Gimme A Prince from pole position is likely to hold his rail position in order to get a tow from After The Rain.
 
So Charles Dickens draw three will perhaps be a little tricky.
 
However, Candice said that although he might carry his head a bit awkwardly, Charles Dickens is not a horse that pulls at all, so there will be no concern about him finding a nice position in a small field.
 
“You can put him wherever you want him,” she said.
 
His exhilarating turn of foot is of course his chief weapon.
 
Hopefully the rain stays away, because a good crowd will turn out just to clap eyes on him and in anticipation of him producing the breathtaking finish he is known for.
 
The racecourse sponsors are taking no chances and have him at 1/4.
 
The Bass-Robinson yard might land both features on the day.
 
In the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes over 1400m Golden Hostess is comfortably best in at the weights according to official merit ratings and is duly favourite with the course sponsors at 14/10.
 
She is drawn five in the seven horse field and among her opposition is stablemate Gimme’s Lassie, who is drawn two and who is third favourite at 9/2.
 
Candice said, “It’s a nice type of race for Golden Hostess, she will love this trip. She’s had a little break, but she had a nice gallop back the other day. I would think she should have a good chance.”
 
The 116-rated four-year-old daughter of Gold Standard was highly tried last season and was never far off the best.
 
Candice said, “She is not quite a Group 1 filly. She’s taken on some very decent fillies and she rarely runs a bad race. I think 1400m is her best distance and it’s the right race for her. Obviously there is Michelle’s filly (Cala Mureta) in the race, but other than her having won a Group 2 in Durban I don’t know much about her.”
 
She said about Gimme’s Lassie, “She’s doing very well and she could be thereabouts.” 
 
Candice is hoping the rain stays away because she is expecting a good day overall from a team of 17 runners.