Beach Bomb, seen here winning the Cartier Paddock Stakes, will be out to score a third Gr 1 in the Cape Summer in the Splashout Cape Derby next Saturday (24 February) (Picture: Wayne Marks)  

Candice Bass-Robinson’s declaring of Beach Bomb and Trip Of Fortune for the Gr 1 SplashOut Cape Derby and Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes respectively depended on a racecourse gallop on Wednesday (two days ago) and Beach Bomb passed the test but Trip Of Fortune failed.

Beach Bomb still stands her ground, while Trip Of Fortune has been scratched.

Bass-Robinson said about Beach Bomb on Tuesday, “She is doing okay but had a bit of a virus after that last run (unplaced in the Gr 1 City Of Cape Town Majorca Stakes beaten ten lengths by Princess Calla, whom she had beaten in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes) which was why she ran so flat. She’s had a week off and I’m taking her to gallop tomorrow. I’ll make my decision after the gallop.”

It was not a surprising decision for the Drakenstein Stud homebred to have been entered in the Derby because the Cape’s three-year-old male crop appears to be a touch below par this season.

This judgement is made chiefly on the no show of Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner and third-placed horses, Snow Pilot and Hluhluwe, in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate where they were beaten 5,90 lengths and 6,20 lengths respectively. Furthermore, the Cape Guineas runner up, the filly Red Palace, could only manage fourth out of six in the slow run Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes, beaten 2,85 lengths by Beach Bomb, and she subsequently ran a 5,25 length fifth in the Gr 1 City Of Cape Town Majorca Stakes where two three-year-old fillies, Rascova and Double Grand Slam, beat her.

The inaugural running of the Cape Derby 99 years ago in 1925 was won by the filly Desert Born.

However, since 1950 only three fillies have won the great race, Green Lass in 1951, the Terrance Millard-trained Taima Bluff in 1980 and the Mike de Kock-trained Dog Wood in 1999.

Other prominent horses standing their ground in the Cape Derby are the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Gimmethegreenlight colt Green With Envy and the Justin Snaith-trained Trippi colt Hluhluwe.

Green With Envy was ultra impressive when giving weight to the opposition and coming from last to win the Gr 3 Politician Stakes by a cosy 1,25 lengths on WSB Cape Town Met day.

On formlines he is actually held by Beach Bomb on a line through Red Palace. However, that is on 1600m form and Green With Envy, who is out of a Galileo mare who won her only start in Ireland over a mile-and-three-and-a-half furlongs, has always been crying out for middle distances.

Hluhluwe won the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup over 1600m and finished third in the Cape Guineas, but he has also looked to be wanting further. He is well regarded and classy and also has a lot of scope for improvement. He will be ridden by Daniel Muscutt, who won the WSB Cape Town Met for the same combination of trainer Justin Snaith and owner Nick Jonsson lasty month, thus becoming the first overseas-based jockey to ever win Cape Town’s most famous race.

Muscutt will also ride former Equus Champion Sprint Rio Querari for Snaith in the Diadem.

Snaith has two other runners declared in the Cape Derby, Gold Rush-winning gelding Rapidash, who will be ridden by Grant van Niekerk, and Gr 3 Politician Stakes third-placed colt Harajuku, who will be ridden by JP van der Merwe.

Both of those horses are by Danon Platina.

Rapidash is also owned by Jonsson in partnership with Douglas Ross and Harajuku is owned by Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith

Bass Robinson exciting three-year-old speedster Future Variety stilll stands his ground in the Diadem.

She said, “I think he probably will be a little bit out of his depth at this stage, but I think he is a horse who will be a nice sprinter in time.”

Mr Cobbs, who comes off a fifth place finish in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship, a race he finished second in two years ago, is also still standing his ground. However, Candice said he was better over 1000m and 1200m was always a touch too far for him.

Among the other horses still in the Diadem are the defending champion, the Adam Marcus-trained Bereave, who comes off a good third in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship.

The Cape Flying runner up Thunderstruck is also still in.

There are four other stakes races at the meeting, so the SplashOut Cape Town Seafood and Jazz Festival on February 24 will surely be a great day out.

Questioning returns to action on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

An interesting high quality Progress Plate over 1400m heads an 8-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow. Billed as the sixth event on the card, the race sees the return to action of the highly rated 3yo Querari gelding, Questioning.

Following a promising debut over 1200m in May last year, when second to the useful Café Culture, Questioning reeled off a hattrick of wins, including the first of the Classic trials, the R300 000 Cape Classic (Gr 3) over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville back in October. At that stage the Vaughan Marshall-trained inmate was being hailed as a potential Guineas winner, but he appeared not to see out 1600m when fourth in the Cape Punters Cup (Gr 2), before finishing a never-dangerous eighth behind Snow Pilot in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr 1) in December.

Questioning is unbeaten over 1400m but he will have to be at his best to lower the colours of the well-weighted Itsrainingwilliam, who ran out an easy start-to-finish winner in a similar contest a month ago. Itsrainingwilliam seemed to relish being allowed to stride along in front from the jump and a repeat of those tactics could result in Itsrainingwilliam proving difficult to peg back.

Eric Sands saddled a trio of winners at the recent midweek meeting and his charge Wecangoallnight should give a very good account of himself here. There was little to choose between Wecangoallnight and Itsrainingwilliam when they met over the course and distance at the end of December and Sands’ runner has to be taken seriously.

Hat’s Pride is an interesting runner. Glen Kotzen’s 3yo son of Hat Puntano finished ahead of Questioning in the Guineas and although never dangerous, Hat’s Pride was staying on when unplaced behind Green With Envy in the Politician Stakes (Gr 3). Hat’s Pride has won his only start over 1400m and may well appreciate the drop in trip. He is certainly one to consider for Trifectas and Quartets.

On best form Money Heist would have some claims at the weights but his recent performances are not encouraging. This should be a really good contest, but Itsrainingwilliam gets the vote to score at the expense of Wecangoallnight and Questioning, although all three must be included in Jackpot and Pick 6 permutations.

The meeting closes out with a very competitive Class 3 Handicap over 1600m. The list of possible winners is pretty lengthy, but the improving Lindbergh could take full advantage of a light weight and pole position to post a well-deserved victory. Last time out, from the worst of the draw, Lindbergh was a close third behind Quartermain and the latter franked the form with another good win during the week.

Prometterre has solid form coming into the race and will be looking to complete a hattrick. Richard Fourie retains the ride for the Marshall stable, but Prometterre has an awkward draw and does have to concede 7 kgs to Lindbergh which may be a tall order. Get Impressed was not disgraced in the Politician Stakes and will be far better suited here. Lindbergh appears to have his measure at the weights, but another honest run can be expected.

Get Impressed’s stable companions, Nevada King and Future Turn, both come into the race with more than just outside chances. At the weights there should not be much to choose between Future Turn and Prometterre and both must obviously be included in all exotic bet permutations. Rosh Kedesh and Kitchakal are capable of better than their recent form suggests and either could be the source of an upset result.

This is no easy race to nail one’s colours to the mast, but Lindbergh has a lot in his favour and he should give us a good run for our money.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m and there appears nothing to choose between In The Green Zone and Sheets and Goggles. The latter finished marginally ahead of In The Green Zone when they met in December but In The Green Zone has had the benefit of another more recent run, when a good second behind Gimmefabulous, and this could sway the outcome in favour of In The Green Zone. Priscilla Maisey and Prom Queen can improve and may be worth considering for larger Pick 6 permutations.

Bankers are never easy to find but Blue Bay looks the part in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. He was tested as a maiden, and certainly not disgraced, when less than four lengths off Green With Envy in the recent Politician Stakes. His form prior to that in this class was good and he should prove superior to his seven rivals here.

Pretty Precious in race five, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m, presents as another possible exotic-bet banker. The well-bred daughter of Potala Palace is improving quickly and was a good second behind the talented Kyalami Girl last time. Lucy Rocket has two promising runs under the belt and appears the main threat, but Pretty Precious gets the nod to shed her maiden ticket.

The up and coming Presley has been selected to make it a hattrick in the 6th race (JC Photos)

R1 5 PROCEED looks to have a talent and the form of his two starts has been franked. 3 MOONLIGHT TRADER made a good debut and looks the main threat 4 PIBE DE ORO has not beeen disgraced in two 800m starts and will enjoy the step up in trip 2 GREATBALLOFFIRE is by Master Of My Fate out of a Fantastic Light mare (5-3-4-2)

R2 1 ACROSS THE POND went close on debut and has a draw on the right side 5 IT’S HER WAY has run two good races and the form has been franked 10 ULTIMISSIMO has useful form but the oow draw could be a concern 8 MILO’S MILLIONAIRE is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Fort Wood mare (1-5-10-8)

R3 1 DHONI has shown ability against fair sorts but does have a wide draw and returns from a layoff and the blinkers are on too 2 AL BAYREG has been tried in open company over a staying trip but his sprint form was against useful sorts so he should have a say 4 REMAINS OF THE DAY is well drawn and should appreciate the step down in trip R3 THERES A LIGHT should be right there if repeating his last start (1-2-4-3)

R4 1 SPRINGER is in hard knocking form and does not have a lot to beat 7 LADY LENNOX has run two good races and should be right there from a good draw 11 ZENOBIA’S GOLD ran in two features in August and was not disgraced so should be involved in this line u despite returning from a layoff 10 ROWYAANA is well bred and fluffed the start on debut when fancied so will be out to make amends. (1-7-11-10)

R5 7 MIA MOO is well in at the weights here and has shown class 4 MOUNT DARWIN looks promising and can rise above his current merit rating 2 RED BOMBER looks ideally distance suited but has a tricky draw 1 BIOFARMER has a touch of class and should be thereabouts despite a wide draw (7-4-2-1)

R6 9 PRESLEY is an up and coming sort who should enjoy the step up in trip and can claim the hattrick 10 THUNEE PLAYA has some good formlines and can continue to progress 6 YOUCANTHURRYLOVE has bounced back to form recently and it would be no surprise to see him win 8 SUPREME DANCE has a form chance and is drawn in pole (9-10-6-8)

R7 2 BLESS MY STARS is top class and is well treated at the weights 6 MERIDIUS went close last time over course and distance and now has a better draw 4 SAFE PASSAGE has a lot of class but is not the most predictable 5 LITIGATION won well over course and distance last time and from a better draw should be trying hard again. (2-6-4-5)

R8 2 BONETE has some class and can still improve so can go one better than in her first attempt at this trip and is drawn in pole 6 TWENTY DRACHMA’S looks to be a promising stayer in the making but has a tricky draw 4 BATTLEGROUND has plenty of ability and stays so should be right there. 5 PRIME EXAMPLE is a bit in and out but stays and can never be ignored (2-6-4-5)

R9 6 FIERY CLIFFS was squeezed out when staying on last time and from a good draw could make amends 5 MONSIEUR CHEVELLE only just failed last time over this trip but does have a tough draw. 8 NUCLEAR FORCE is drawn in pole and will be staying on and can get closer nto Monsieur Chevele 1 MOUNT ETNA went close in her penultimate start and is better than her last run (6-5-8-1)

R10 3 MAX THE OTTER has been knocking on the door and has a fine chance the low draw could be concern 7 LAW OF SUCCESS is always right there and should be in tyhe shake up 13 WRITTEN IN STONE has plenty of ability and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance 1 WHORLY WHORLY is in fine form and is distance suited but the low draw is a concern (3-7-13-1)

Formagear has been selected to win the Fever Tree Stakes (Candiese Lenferna) 

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

Royal Victory looks to be something of a handicap certainty when he lines up in the Fever Tree Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday after his win in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup.  

Nathan Kotzen’s runner had his handicap rating shunted up from a 111 to a 119 after that win and strictly on paper should be hard to beat. However, Royal Victory has not been out since that win back in November last year and this is a likely warm-up outing for the Champions Cup at Turffontein later in the year. That is not to say he can’t win but he carries a hefty burden against come useful light-weights over a 1500m trip which may now prove to be a little on the sharp side.  

There should not be much between Formagear and Imilenzeyokududuma the two last meeting in the Christmas Handicap with a neck separating them. The latter is now 1kg better off in the handicap and has subsequently run a cracker behind the smart Gladatorian when a beaten favourite on this course. Formagear finished a close-up third in the Michael Roberts Stakes giving the mare Bella Siccome 8.5kg and Paul Lafferty’s mare has since franked that form. Cabinet Shuffle is an interesting runner with Turffontein-based Robyn Claasen having her first KZN runner. The current form looks dodgy but Cabinet Shuffle could surprise.  

If one is not prepared to banker Royal Victory in your exotics than Wendy Whitehead’s gelding Bom Bom could fit the bill. He made a promising debut for his new stable over course and distance which was marked improvement on his Highveld form and a repeat will see him close. Gimme A Rainbow has been consistent and not far back to Happy Wanderer last time out. He is now 2kg better off and can turn the tables. All The Time has finally come good, winning his last two for Yogas Govender. He drops a furlong in trip but has only crept up the handicap. El Draque has finally got it all together for Alyson Wright with another game win just second time out of the maidens. He had consistent maiden form and has finally come to hand. 

In the card opener, Richard Fourie should add another winner to his growing tally as he partners Quid Pro Quo for Barend Botes. The filly has gone down narrowly in both starts and the form has panned out quite well. She rates the one to beat. Michael Miller has his usual handful of juvenile runners with stable rider Tristan Godden aboard the first timer Magical View who Miller describes as a “very nice filly”. Athandiwe Mgudlwa has the ride on exposed stable companion Ethereal View who has placed in all three starts. Radiant Heat comes from Vaal raider Corne Spies. She was a well-beaten second at only her second start and is likely to improve.  

Samuel Longsword can kick off the PA as he made a promising debut where the form has worked out well. He galloped at Hollywoodbets Greyville last week and Rachel Venniker stays aboard for Doug Campbell. Gold Rush Kid raced green in a promising debut around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn. That was in soft ground and down the straight he should improve nicely. Chinaberry was all at sea on debut and should come on with the experience. Richard Fourie rides for Wendy Whitehead.  

Tothestarsandback has found market support in all three starts and can help in a tricky start to the Pick 6. Two of those starts were in the soft where she made no show and her best effort has been on this course on good ground. She can make amends for Mark Dixon. There should be very little between Dawn Surprise and Jazz Café the two finishing within a neck of each other when last they met. Both should be on good ground for the first time and both should be included in all exotics. Miss Platina has her first outing for Tienie Prinsloo. She was well beaten over a mile last time out but is one to watch here.  

Tomyris is likely to be in warm order in the fourth and although she has drawn a touch wide, she has improve with every outing. She was touched off over course and distance last run and can go one better. Blue Horizon has improved since Weiho Marwing declared blinkers. She has been trying further but this could well be her optimum trip at this stage. Madam Pompadour has been costly to follow but has never been far back of late. She faces mostly a modest field here and can make amends. Louis Goosen saddles Elusive Belle who has also been trying further but one of her better recent efforts has been over course and distance.  

The fifth is a difficult handicap where many are in with winning chances. Givers Grace is likely to start at generous odds as she found her last start too far in the soft ground. She is back over a more suitable trip, has drawn well and her pervious form was solid. Leopard Lady always gives of her best and is long overdue her second win. She was touched off narrowly in first time blinkers and is reunited with regular light-weight rider Nicholas Patel. Celtic Beauty has only had three outings and made a smart handicap debut when narrowly beaten on this course. Mascherina was the beaten favourite in the race where Celtic Beauty was second. She too has only had three starts and has Fourie aboard.  

The last is another minefield but Kimball O’Hara was much improved third time out for his new stable. He had some fair Cape form prior to that and may finally have come to hand after showing up against stronger last time out. Godfather looks to have a better chance than stable companion Cabinet Shuffle as he has steady Highveld form over the trip. Papa C finally had his consistency rewarded when dropped back to a mile last time out and he only got a three-point rise in the handicap. Safe Space has a tough draw but was narrowly beaten at his last two. Both those runs were on the poly and Fourie has deserted to ride Johnny The Thief who showed up well in a Novice Handicap last time out.  

Kimball O’ Hara’s only win has been in a workriders race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, but he has a fine chance in the last race in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday (Cape Racing)

Gold Circle

R1

5 QUID PRO QUO 4 RADIANT HEAT 8 MAGICAL VIEW 10 MILLION VOICES

Summary: Richard Fourie should add another winner to his growing tally as he partners QUID PRO QUO (5) for Barend Botes. The filly has gone down narrowly in both starts and the form has panned out quite well. She rates the one to beat. Michael Miller has his usual handful of juvenile runners with stable rider Tristan Godden aboard the first timer MAGICAL VIEW (8) who Miller describes as a “very nice filly”. Athandiwe Mgudlwa has the ride on exposed stable companion ETHEREAL VIEW (2) who has placed in all three starts. RADIANT HEAT (4) comes from Vaal raider Corne Spies. She was a well-beaten second at only her second start and is likely to improve. MILLION VOICES (10) found some market support on debut and is sure to come on for the experience. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-8-10).

R2

10 SAMUEL LONGSWORD 11 GOLD RUSH KID 8 CHINABERRY 2 HAVANA MOON

Summary: Open race but SAMUEL LONGSWORD (10) made a promising debut where the form has worked out well. He galloped at Hollywoodbets Greyville last week and Rachel Venniker stays aboard for Doug Campbell. GOLD RUSH KID (11) raced green in a promising debut around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn. That was in soft ground and down the straight he should improve nicely. CHINABERRY (8) was all at sea on debut and should come on with the experience. Richard Fourie rides for Wendy Whitehead. Stable companion HAVANA MOON (2) was staying on nicely when staying on at long odds on debut and is another that should come on with that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 10-11-8-2).

R3

6 TOTHESTARSANDBACK 10 DAWN SURPRISE 2 JAZZ CAFÉ 11 MISS PLATINA

Summary: TOTHESTARSANDBACK (6) has found market support in all three starts. Two of those were in the soft where she made no show and her best effort has been on this course on good ground. She can make amends for Mark Dixon. There should be very little between DAWN SURPRISE (10) and JAZZ CAFÉ (2) the two finishing within a neck of each other when last they met. Both should be on good ground for the first time. MISS PLATINA (11) has her first outing for Tienie Prinsloo. She was well beaten over a mile last time out but is one to watch here. (Andrew Harrison: 6-10-2-11).

R4

9 TOMYRIS 2 BLUE HORIZON 5 MADAME POMPADOUR 8 ELUSIVE BELLE

Summary: TOMYRIS (9) has drawn a touch wide but has improve with every outing. She was touched off over course and distance last run and can go one better. BLUE HORIZON (2) has improved since Weiho Marwing declared blinkers. She has been trying further but this could well be her optimum trip at this stage. MADAME POMPADOUR (5) has been costly to follow but has never been far back of late. She faces mostly a modest field here and can make

amends. Louis Goosen saddles ELUSIVE BELLE (8) who has also been trying further but one of her better recent efforts has been over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 9-2-5-9).

R5

2 GIVERS GRACE 9 CELTIC BEAUTY 10 MASCHERINA 4 LEOPARD LADY

Summary: A difficult handicap where many are in with winning chances. GIVERS GRACE (2) found her last start too far in the soft ground and is back over a more suitable trip. She has drawn well and her previous form was solid. LEOPARD LADY (4) always gives of her best and is long overdue her second win. She was touched off narrowly in first time blinkers and is reunited with regular light-weight rider Nicholas Patel. CELTIC BEAUTY (9) has only had three outings and made a smart handicap debut when narrowly beaten On this course. She is down in class and should make a bold bid for Tony Rivalland. MASCHERINA (10) was the beaten favourite in the race where Celtic Beauty was second. She too has only had three starts and has Richard Fourie aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 2-9-10-4).

R6

1 BOM BOM 6 GIMME A RAINBOW 2 ALL THE TIME 9 EL DRAQUE

Summary: BOM BOM (1) made a promising debut for his new stable over course and distance. It was marked improvement on his Highveld form and a repeat will see him close for Wendy Whitehead. GIMME A RAINBOW (6) has been consistent and not far back to HAPPY WANDERDER (5) last time out. He is now 2kg better off and can turn the tables. ALL THE TIME (2) has finally come good, winning his last two for Yogas Govender. He drops a furlong in trip but has only crept up the handicap. EL DRAQUE (9) has finally got it all together with another game win just second time out of the maidens. He had consistent maiden form and has finally come to hand. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-2-9).

R7

10 FORMAGEAR 6 IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA 5 ROYAL VICTORY 9 CABINET SHUFFLE

Summary: ROYAL VICTORY (5) looks to be something of a handicap certainty in this race after his win in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup. However, Nathan Kotzen’s runner has not been out since that win back in November last year and this is a likely warm-up outing for the Champions Cup at Turffontein later in the year. That is not to say he can’t win but he carries a hefty burden against come useful light-weights over a trip which may now prove too short. There should not be much between FORMAGEAR (10) and IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA (6) the two last meeting in the Christmas Handicap with a neck separating them. The latter is now 1kg better off in the handicap and has subsequently run a cracker behind the smart Gladatorian when a beaten favourite on this course. CABINET SHUFFLE (9) is an interesting runner with Robyn Klaasen having her first KZN runner. The current form looks dodgy but he could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-5-9).

R8

9 KIMBALL O’HARA 8 GODFATHER 6 PAPA C 5 JOHNNY THE THIEF

Summary: KIMBALL O’HARA (9) was much improved third time out for his new stable. He had some fair Cape form prior to that and may finally have come to hand after showing up against stronger last time out. GODFATHER (8) looks to have a better chance than Cabinet Shuffle as he has steady Highveld form over the trip. PAPA C (6) finally had his consistency rewarded when dropped back to a mile. He only got a three-point rise in the handicap and can go in again. SAFE SPACE (12) has a tough draw but was narrowly beaten at his last two. Both those runs were on the poly and Richard Fourie has deserted to ride JOHNNY THE THIEF (5) who showed up well in a Novice Handicap last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-6-5)

Mo Flow comes from a long way back to win easily and give Richard Fourie a treble and him and Kelly Mitchley a quick double (Pauline Herman Photography) 

Richard Fourie scored a treble on the Fairview turf today, winning the first three races at the meeting, including two for trainer Kelly Mitchley.

Calvin Habib rode a double for Gavin Smith.

Fourie goes to 174 wins for the seas0n achieved at a strike rate of 20.74%.

Habib is on 86 at 12.52%.

Mitchley is on 35 wins at 9.19%.

Smith is on 76 wins at 12.08% and is now eight wins clear of arch rival Alan Greeff in the East Cape championship.

A Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred Silvano colt later renamed Al Zaraqaan was bought for R9 million, a record which still stands. After being injured in training he never raced.

Varsfontein Stud-bred Captain Al colt Malmoos was bought for R4.4 million and went on to win the SA Triple Crown and is now a stallion. In the picture above the Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos completes the Tripe Crown by easily winning the Gr 1 SA Derby. He was ridden in all three legs by Luke Ferraris.