Cape Racing’s leading trainers Justin Snaith and Candice Bass-Robinson, together with jockeys Richard Fourie and Aldo Domeyer, both of whom are well-known for delivering success to both stables, are likely to enjoy a good day at the office when racing returns to the Western Cape for a nine-race midweek fixture at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday 18 June.
Domeyer was encouraged by the performance of two-year-old filly Roccapina when finishing a close-up second aboard the Bass-Robinson inmate on debut over 1000m last month. He unsurprisingly continues his association with this promising daughter of exciting freshman sire One World in Race 1 over the same course and distance as that eye-catching 26 May introduction.
With natural improvement expected and given the benefit of that experience, it should pay to follow the progress of well-bred Roccapina, who is a half-sister to Grade 2 and Grade 3-placed four-year-old Gimme’s Lassie, as well as Grade 2-winner Cala Muretta – both of those fillies being daughters of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight.
Another promising, well-bred youngster from the Bass-Robinson stable is two-year-old What A Winter gelding Summer Snow, whose dam Juxtapose (by Judpot) won at Grade 1 and Grade 2 level during a three-year-old campaign which included two third-placed finishes in Grade 3 races.
Summer Snow, with the benefit of a pleasing introductory outing against winners, has progressed in subsequent starts and ought to open his account in Race 2 over 1000m if continuing his momentum.
He improved to finish fourth over 1200m in his second start before confirming that progress with an encouraging staying-on second over 1000m in his third outing four weeks ago. A return to the same track and trip in Leg 1 of the day’s BiPot, coupled with the likelihood of further improvement, should land Bass-Robinson and Domeyer back in the winners’ enclosure.
So, including those jockey-trainer representatives in an opening (Race 1 and 2) TAB Double should maximise potential winnings.
And a Double could again be the way to go in Races 4 and 5, as the formidable Snaith-Fourie combination is likely to follow suit with a double of their own.
What A Winter three-year-old Song To The Moon has seemingly benefited from having been gelded in mid-March, judged on the evidence of his two improved performances – the latest a fast-finishing second over 1400m, the same course and distance over which he reappears for his peak outing in Race 4, Leg 1 of the Pick 6.
Stablemate Jack In The Green has improved recently in two starts beyond 1400m to finish a close-up second in both outings. He caught the eye when running on strongly over 1600m in early April and proved that was no flash in the pan with another strong late run over 1800m last month.
On the evidence of both performances, the step up to 1950m in Race 5 should eke out the small amount of progress needed to exit the maiden ranks under red-hot record-breaker Richard Fourie.
Both Snaith and Fourie have other winning chances later on the card, with Liketheclappers good value to add to the former’s haul in Race 7 before Qhawekazi puts her unbeaten 1400m record on the line under Fourie in Race 8.
Clive Robinson
