Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and jockey Aldo Domeyer have forged a formidable partnership widely considered one of the most powerful in South African racing, especially in the Western Cape.
They are strongly represented at the midweek Cape Town fixture at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday 18 December and supporters of the partnership could cash in on a number of their runners on the eight-race card.
Summer Snow is one of two Bass-Robinson runners in the opener, a 1000m Maiden Plate. Riding arrangements suggest this son of What A Winter is the pick of the stable’s pair with Domeyer retaining the ride on the three-year-old gelding whose form and experience will stand him in good stead.
Summer Snow finished fourth under Domeyer in a 1200m maiden last month when leading for most of the way before tiring late. On the evidence of that performance, the shorter trip should suit and it is encouraging that the blinkers worn that day are retained.
Stablemate English Mistress has been costly to follow but wouldn’t be winning out of turn when she lines up in Race 2 over 2000m. She has finished third three times and second four times in her last seven appearances, over distances 1400m to 1800m. She also filled the runners-up berth in her only outing over 2000m in December last year over the same course and distance.
Domeyer has ridden English Mistress in her last six starts and will likely partner this Master Of My Fate filly again. At the time of writing, however, a jockey was yet to be declared.
In Race 4, highly regarded Air Raid, a Lancaster Bomber-gelding out of former stable star Inara (a multiple Grade 1 winner), should appreciate the step up to 1600m. This three-year-old has run two pleasing comebacks since he was ‘cut’ after a promising two-start juvenile campaign. He made eye-catching late headway over 1400m on the winter course last month, finishing a close-up second under Domeyer in a similar Class C event, and his performance that day gave the impression that the step up to 1600m will unlock further improvement.
Rafeef-colt Empire State (Race 5) and Kyalami Girl (Race 8) are others with strong Eachway chances for the dynamic duo.
Clive Robinson
