Charles Dickens can elevate himself to true greatness tomorrow (Wayne Marks).

Charles Dickens “All Good” Ahead Of LKP

Candice Bass-Robinson said today Charles Dickens had just needed to be kept ticking over since his Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas victory and added “all is good” with him ahead of his date with destiny in tomorrow’s Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

She said, “He has had two races three weeks apart and now has another one three weeks later, so we have not had to do a lot with him.”

She said big race jockey Aldo Domeyer’s slimming regime to get down to 55kg had been going well and she expected him to just have to do some routine sweating before the meeting tomorrow morning.

The super star colt will achieve a few milestones if winning tomorrow.

Drakenstein Stud’s Gaynor Rupert has promoted this prestigious weight for age event since 2005 and has bred a winner before, but Charles Dickens will become the first King’s Plate/Queen’s Plate winner to have been owned by Drakenstein.

He will become the first Candice Bass-Robinson-trained King’s Plate/Queen’s Plate winner, although her father Mike Bass won it six times.

Two of Mike’s winners hold records, the legendary Pocket Power (Jet Master) being the only one to have won it four times (from 2006/2007-2009/2010) and his 1995 winner Counter Action (Complete Warrior) holds the official race record of 96.2 seconds.

Charles Dickens will become only the third three-year-old since the 1973 win of Yataghan to win this race, the others being Gimmethegreenlight in 2012 and Jet Dark in 2021, the latter pair both being trained by Justin Snaith.

Charles Dickens will make it three years in succession for Drakenstein Stud-bred sons of Trippi, as Jet Dark is also a Drakenstein Stud-bred Trippi and goes for a hattrick of wins in the big race.

The Bass-Robinson yard also run Trip Of Fortune, who had a setback a couple of weeks back when contracting a virus.

She said he had missed four or five days work and also had to do some light work afterwards.

However, she added he had bounced back well and currently his work was good and fresh.

She said, “It is not about fitness, it is more just about how much the virus knocked him back. Only the race will tell, but if it has not knocked him back he can be in the money.”

Meanwhile, Bass Robinson is happy with Marina, who will be out to notch her first Grade 1 victory in the Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m.

She felt the Silvano mare was unlucky not to win last year, as she had produced a strong finish and in another stride or two might well have got up.

She added, “She is a tall and rangy daughter of Silvano and I have always felt she would be better as a late four-year-old and five-year-old. She is handling her work much better this season. It is never easy to beat Captain’s Ransom and it is a top field overall, but I hope she has improved since last year and she will then be in with a big chance.”

The yard also run Echo Of Life in the Paddock Stakes and Candice felt it would be a tough ask for her.

However, she felt she had good all round chances the whole day.

She runs Golden Hostess, Santa Maria and Going Up in the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes and felt they could all be in the mix.

She felt she could go close in the Franschoek Motor Museum Winchester Cup, where her chief candidate is Resonate and he is supported by African Rain, Barzalona and Mr Cobbs.

She also mentioned Arctic Drift as being “good value” in the last race, the Grade 3 Merchants On Long Chairman’s Cup over 2500m.

Justin Snaith is one of the trainers who provides excellent information for tomorrow’s big L’Ormarins King’s Plate meeting on Gallop Tv.

Gallop TV LKP Preview And Trainer Comments

CLICK HERE to watch a LKP meeting Preview with Graeme Hawkins and Rahiel Radhakrishna

CLICK HERE to watch interview with Candice Bass-Robinson

CLICK HERE to watch interview with Justin Snaith

CLICK HERE to watch interview with Sean Tarry

CLICK HERE to watch interview with Mike de Kock

CLICK HERE to watch interview with Michelle Rix

The inaugural running of the Okapi Ladies International is the first race on the card in tomorrow’s big LKP meeting and is due to be off at 12H05 (L’Ormarins).

Turf Talk’s LKP Meeting Formguides And Selections

Preview: BONIKA (9) has some fine 1200m form and looks the one to beat. COUNTRY TIME (11) won well last time and the form has been franked and her rider has won a workriders race before. PACIFIC GREEN (8) ran a good race last time over course and distance and can be in the shake up. (Turf Talk 9-11-8)

Preview: TRIPPI T (8) went close over course and distance last time in a relatively good time. GREEN FALCON (7) has some useful form down the straight and should be in the shake up. AUSSENKEHER (4) has been knocking on the door and has a shout with a good rider up. (Turf Talk 8-7-4)

Preview: GIMMELIGHTNING (6) won well over 900m on debut and did it in a fair relative time. GOLDEN TATJANA (2) has 0,70 lengths to make up on Speeding Bullet and is 3kg better off. SPEEDING BULLET (1) was three lengths behind Gimmelightning on debut but was more fancied and improved to win well next time out. RASCOVA (3) won well on debut and could be in the shake up. MISS HANNIGAN (13) is talented and should be right there. WITBLITS (12) could also play a part. (Turf Talk 6-2-1-3-13-12)

Preview: WE’RE JAMMING (8) was 1kg under sufferance in the Merchants and finished a two length second after perhaps being waited with for a touch too long and he looks capable of further improvement. RESONATE (4) should enjoy the course and distance and has a form chance. TROMPIE (6) is talented and quick and should enjoy the step down to the minimum trip. IPHIKO (13) ran a cracker over course and distance last time and is second best in at the weights. ISIVUNGUVUNGU (9) looks to be a 1000m specialist and this strongly built horse should come into his own this season, although he hasn’t run for five months. RIO QUERARI (11), who is best in at the weights, will be a big runner if bouncing back to his best. (Turf Talk 8-4-6-13-9-11)

Preview: PRINCESS CALLA (13) won impressively last time after a layoff and is officially 2kg better off at the weights than any other horse. DESERT MIRACLE (15) is second best in at the weights and is officially 3kg and more better off with the rest and is effective over this trip. CIAO BELLA (2) has class and has done nothing wrong over sprint trips. (Turf Talk 13-15-2)

Preview: UNIVERSAL (3) ran a fine race last time and now has his third run after a layoff over a step up in trip he will enjoy. DO IT AGAIN (11) showed he still has it when running fourth in the July and Kommetdieding was the only horse who performed better than him at the weights, so he could do it here as the officially best weighted horse. RASCALLION (1) is second best in at the weights and has his third run after a layoff over an ideal trip from pole position. NEXUS (8) goes well for Piere Strydom so can’t be written off, although he has it a bit tougher at the weights than in the Peninsula Handicap. NEBRAAS (7) had a tough task from a wide draw in the Summer Cup and his form over this trip is not bad. (Turf Talk 3-11-1-8-7)

Preview: CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (3) is likely at her best over shorter but won this race last year and from draw three can be switched off before using her devastating late burst. MARINA (6) has likely improved from last year when just failing so is a huge runner here too. MAKE IT SNAPPY (8) could still be anything and this race over a step up in trip she should enjoy will show how good she is. RAIN IN HOLLAND (1) will appreciate being back in Grade 1 company and if the others start gasping for air after strong fractions she will be picking them off if back to her best. HOLD MY HAND (4) was unlucky in the Cape Fillies Guineas where she was beaten only 2,25 lengths by Make It Snappy, so could be the dark horse here. (Turf Talk 3-6-8-1-4)

Preview: CHARLES DICKENS’ (9) closing skills can place him among the greats. JET DARK (10) produced a phenomenal finish last year and the yard say he could not be any better going into the race. KOMMETDIEDING (8) is never far off Jet Dark. (Turf Talk 9-10-8)

Preview: NEVADA KING (10) can go close here if able to overcome a tough draw. FUTURE SWING (11) looks to be the Snaith stable elect but also has a tough draw. TIZONA (1) is drawn in pole and looks capable of rising above his current rating. FUTURE TURN (9) had some fair maiden form and starts his handicapping career off a reasonable mark. BILLY SPELLBOUND (12) looks progressive but does have the widest draw. (Turf Talk 10-11-1-9-12)

R10

Preview: NAVYSTRENGTH (13) relished the step up in trip last time and can follow up. HAN SOLO (12) is consistent and should he right there. ARCTIC DRIFT (10) could prove better than his merit rating suggests having just his third start over a staying trip. THEFUTUREISBRIGHT (9) could be a progressive stayer although he did have every chance last time from pole and now has a tougher draw. ONE WAY TRAFFIC (15) will relish the step up in trip and will have a big chance if producing his best although he might have been expected to do a bit better in his two preparation runs. (Turf Talk 13-12-10-9-15)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Charles Dickens Looks Right Banker In Carryover Pick 6 – Tab4Racing

TAB’s mystery tipster Harry Ihashi’s leg-by-leg analysis of the R1-million carryover Pick 6 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this Saturday:

Leg 1 (Race 4): WINCHESTER SPRINT CUP

#8 WE’RE JAMMING found only one too good when outrun from a handy position in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants over 1200m last time and has finished second in all three outings over this course and distance. The addition of blinkers for the first time should sharpen him, so it would be no surprise were he to score over this trip. #6 TROMPIE has 1.05 lengths to find on the former, but renews rivalry on 1.5kg better terms and could turn the tables. He is two from two over the track and trip. #9 ISIVUNGUVUNGU was an easy winner of the Listed Umgeni Handicap when last seen 23 weeks ago. He is loaded with ability and is likely to mount a serious challenge if not in need of the outing.

Leg 2 (Race 5): Grade 2 SCEPTRE STAKES
#9 GOLDEN HOSTESS has been drawn wide in her last two starts, the latest of which came in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, and won’t be inconvenienced by dropping in trip to 1200m. With a pace to aim at and a smart turn of foot in her arsenal, she should finish strongly and represents the value in the race. #13 PRINCESS CALLA outsprinted several re-opposing rivals when taking out the Grade 2 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m last time and would’ve tightened up since that winning comeback. She is loaded with ability and with improved fitness on her side, is likely to make another bold winning bid over a distance more to her liking. #2 CIAO BELLA finished second in the Cape Fillies Guineas having impressed when winning a 1400m Grade 2 at her previous start. She reverts to a stiff 1200m which should suit and merits healthy respect. #15 DESERT MIRACLE ran on from last when third in the Grade 3 Merchants on the Highveld at her last start. Globetrotting Christophe Soumillon will be in the irons and could coax a little extra out of Mike de Kock’s charge, who shouldn’t be discounted in a competitive race.

Leg 3 (Race 6): Grade 2 PREMIER TROPHY
#3 UNIVERSAL bounced right back to best when finishing second in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes, staying on under pressure after racing in a handy position. He last tasted success over this course and distance, so is likely to go close in his peak outing. #1 RASCALLION has a bit to find on that form and on the revised weight terms, but has a good record over the track and trip and could pose the biggest threat.

Leg 4 (Race 7): Grade 1 PADDOCK STAKES
Horse-Of-The-Year #3 CAPTAIN’S RANSOM showed she was as good as ever when winning on her reappearance over 1400m, defeating a useful field of male rivals. She would have come on from the run and with improved fitness on her side should win this race for the second year running and register an impressive seventh Grade 1 success. #6 MARINA finished just 0.30 lengths behind her last year and was motoring late, so should also be included the Pick 6.

Leg 5 (Race 8): Grade 1 L’ORMARINS KING’S PLATE
Unbeaten #9 CHARLES DICKENS blew away his rivals in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas, quickening clear under the hands and from off the pace to win by more than four lengths. He faces his toughest test yet pitted against older Grade 1 winning rivals, but is a star in the making and has been so impressive he could well be up to the challenge, especially in receipt of weight from his elders.

Leg 6 (Race 9): MR74 Handicap
#10 NEVADA KING finished a creditable second over the course and distance last time in his first run out of the maidens. He stayed on nicely at the finish and in a similar contest should play a leading role with a repeat of that effort. Stable companion #11 FUTURE SWING ran in a stronger race last time and on riding arrangements appears the pick of the Snaith runners with Richard Fourie aboard. He is a progressive sort who should make his presence felt and must be included. #1 TIZONA has not been beaten far in recent outings and finished his race off well over 1400m last time out, suggesting the extra 200m should be to his liking. #2 BLACKBERRY MALT and #12 BILLY SPELLBOUND are others to consider.

Suggested R500 PICK 6:
Leg 1: 6, 8, 9, 11, 13
Leg 2: 2, 9, 13, 15, 17
Leg 3: 1, 3
Leg 4: 3, 6
Leg 5: 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 10, 11, 12

LKP Meeting Panel Discussion On Taking The Reins

Panel discussion hosted by Justin Vermaak with Piere Strydom, Michelle Rix and Jonathan Snaith.

CLICK HERE to watch the panel discussion

CPYS Lot 93, a Lancaster Bomber colt out of Song Of Happiness, pictured on his way to the paddock for the morning earlier this week.

A Hot CPYS Handful From Drakenstein

Kevin Sommerville of Drakenstein Stud is looking forward to the 2023 Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale to which Gaynor Rupert’s blue-chip establishment has consigned five colts. He discussed them, individually:

Lot 41 – Takeyourbestshot: “A nice, strong and precocious son of What A Winter out of a dual, G1 winning Dubawi mare, Happy Archer. He goes about his business very well, looks a forward colt for this sale.”

Lot 61 – Great Plains: “Great Plains a striking looking son of Danon Platina out of Mara, a young mare by VAR who was decent as a race filly. He is an attractive specimen, roan-coloured and comes from a lovely family that goes back to Bright Sky. Danon Platina looks to have some precocious sorts among his early runners, he has had a good start. Great Plains has handled his prep very well, couldn’t be happier with him!”

Lot 93 – Bombers In The Sky: “Here is a Lancaster Bomber colt out of Song Of Happiness by Giant’s Causeway. He is big and strapping, very much in his father’s mould. He has done incredibly well, physically. We are excited to see what the Lancaster Bomber runners will do on King’s Plate day. This one comes from the wonderful family of Ebony Flyer, Captain’s Lover, Vardy and others. He is one of this sale’s outstanding prospects.”

Lot 94 – Gold Sparkle: “He is a colt by Gold Standard out of Sparkling Gem, the G1 winner. He is a nice, scopey sort and takes a nice shape. Sparkling Gem has already produced the Graded winners King Of Gems and Pink Tourmaline. Gold Standard has had a nice start to his career, including a couple of really outstanding fillies. Gold Sparkle should attract a lot of interest.”

Lot 99 – Supreme Green: “A smashing colt by Gimmethegreenlight out of Supreme Vision (Visionaire), who is a half-sister to Do It Again. He is a beautiful specimen with a beautiful pedigree, by a champion sire, a big, strapping colt who looks precocious but should also go on over further.”

CPYS Lot 10, Potala Palace half-sister to Grade 2 Nursery winner Basadi Faith.

Three CPYS Lots From Up-and-coming Volmoed Stud

Volmoed Stud’s Inel Bekker is quietly making an impression with the quality of thoroughbreds produced at her Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, establishment. Volmoed presents three lots at the Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale on 12 January.

Bekker sent notes on her draft as below:

Lot 10 – Unnamed filly by Potala Palace ex Coral Colour by Captain Al.

She is a half-sister to G2 Nursery winner Basadi Faith. “A strong filly, well balanced and walks very well. She has a nice hind quarter and looks to be an early type.” (see picture above the headline)

Lot 24 – To Glory, a good looker by Captain Of All out of Eternal Sunshine, by National Emblem:

“This colt is built like a typical sprinter and walks really well. He has a great hind quarter with a lovely shoulder. Beautiful head. A lot of quality about him.” (see picture below)

Lot 44 – Unnamed filly by Pomodoro out of Ice Art, by Querari:

“This filly stands over ground and has a lot of scope. She has an intelligent head and walks very well. Looks like a classic horse.” (see picture below)

Vercingetorix two-year-old filly Hildelita won impressively on debut to get the Smith/Khumalo ball rolling at Fairview today (Pauline Herman).

Smith Four-timer, Khumalo Treble, Fourie/Greeff Double

Gavin Smith scored a four-timer in the eight race meeting on the Fairview turf today and three of them were ridden by S’Manga Khumalo.

Richard Fourie rode a double for Alan Greeff.

Smith goes to 60 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 10.49%.

Greeff is on 47 wins at 11.75%.

Richard Fourie has ridden 90 winners this season at a strike rate of 19.91%.

S’Manga Khumalo has ridden 86 winners at 18.22%.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe will be out to land his sixth King’s Plate/Queen’s Plate this century.

Today’s Question

How many jockeys have won the King’s Plate/Queen’s Plate this century?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

Click Here To See Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Fields, Saturday

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NB Please wait a few seconds for fields to appear.

Anton Marcus has won seven Queen’s Plates/King’s Plates in his career, six of them this century.

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION:

There have been 23 renewals of the King’s Plate/Queen’s Plate this century.

However, there have been only eleven winning jockeys.

Anton Marcus has won six of those renewals, Bernard Fayd’Herbe has won five, Piere Strydom, Karl Neisius and Glen Hatt have won two each and Rhys van Wyk, Jeff Lloyd, Richard Fourie, Craig Zackey, Grant van Niekerk and S’Manga Khumalo have each won one.

Some of those riders also won the big race last century.

Marcus has won the big race seven times overall in his career, Strydom has won it six times overall, Lloyd, Neisius and Hatt have each won it three times overall and Van Wyk twice.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 6 January 2023