Candice Bass-Robinson said the slow pace of the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes had been against her Silvano mare Marina, who runs in the Grade 1 wfa WSB Met on Saturday, a race she finished a 5,20 length 8th in last year.
Candice added, “Maybe running two 1800m races three weeks apart also meant she was not quite fresh enough to quicken off that slow pace.”
It is also just a three week gap between the Paddock Stakes and the Met.
However, Marina, who is a full-sister to Durban July winner Marinaresco, will enjoy the step up in trip to 2000m.
Bass-Robinson did lament the apparent lack of pace in the race though.
She added, “She does at least have a good draw this time, so can be closer to the pace. She has been doing well; she is pretty well and has been working well but it is a tough race. I am not sure whether she is good enough but she gets the trip and I am hoping for a money chance.”
She is more bullish about the yard’s chances in the Grade 1 Pongracz Cape Flyng Championship, where they run Resonate and have Mr Cobbs as the reserve.
She said, “It is a tough race this year, but Resonate has been giving weight to a few of the others (and beating or finishing close to them) and now runs at level weights, so has a good chance.”
Resonate is a four-year-old Twice Over gelding out of Doowaley mare Rei Rei, who won the Grade 2 KZN Fillies Guineas and Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m.
He has the valuable asset of tremendous natural pace. He appears to be doing it effortlessly in his races while staying in touch. A horse who can manage that is usually able to finish strongly and he looks good value at around 8/1.
Of course, the draw often plays a part in this race, as one or other side can be at an advantage.
Resonate’s connections will be hoping the outside draws are favourable with Resonate drawn 14.
Bass-Robinson was annoyed Mr Cobbs did not get into the race having beaten a number of the leading contenders last time out. He was receiving weight from them, but did finish runner up in the Cape Flying last year, beaten just a neck by Bohica. Candice said he was particularly well at present, so if he does get in he could be one of the dark horses.
Mr Cobbs, a six-year-old What A Winter gelding, is suited to top class big field races as he can sit off the strong pace and then use his huge stride to eat up the ground late in the day.
She also contests the Grade 1 Schweppes Majorca Stakes with three-year-old Gold Standard filly Golden Hostess, who finished a 2,30 length fourth to Make It Snappy in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas.
She said, “She is well but it will be tough for all of them to beat Captain’s Ransom. I don’t think she will be too far off her.”
Bass-Robinson felt the yard would be competitive in all of the other races they contest.
She mentioned a few, saying, “Flying First has a definite chance in the last race; Michael Faraday (race 11) has a chance but has to carry 61kg; In the juvenile race (6th) Distant Winter (who has a 3kg weight advantage still being a maiden) should have a money chance; Arctic Drift (10th race = the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers) is doing well and has a chance if getting in to the race sooner (he came from a long way back last time to finish fourth in the Grade 3 Chairmans Cup over 2500m).”
