Charles Dickens in a class of his own

Charles Dickens, 7-10 favourite, romped to victory in the Grade 3 Cape Classic over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday with commentator Jehan Malherbe aptly calling as the chestnut freewheeled in by three lengths, “he’s rumoured to be a superstar – well, he’s on the way there".

The high-class three-year-old son of Trippi is conditioned by Candice Bass-Robinson and was ridden by Aldo Domeyer, who described the even-tempered, fleet-footed thoroughbred as “a jock's treat, and an exhilarating ride”.

At My Command gamely held second after getting across from draw No 10 and setting the pace, with Dave The King third, but the Drakenstein Stud-bred victor was in a different league as he smoothly clicked through the gears, winning by three lengths.

Bass Racing have won practically all the big races in SA yet have not saddled a Cape Guineas winner. In Charles Dickens they now have a formidable candidate.

Bass-Robinson also sent out 8-1 shot Resonate to prevail in the South Easter Sprint (Listed) over 1100m- surging past Surjay who hit the front powerfully after stalking the speed but could not resist Resonate’s swift closing burst. Gimme a Prince also dashed home to snare second place in an admirable effort given that he got slightly worked up at the gates. He may well target the Merchants next.

The winner is by Twice Over out of Rei Rei and it seems sprinting is his forte. Jockey Aldo Domeyer said: “His work this week was exceptional – he’s now in a happy space. He was nice and fluent doing pacework during the race. Things are looking up for him!”

Resonate has now won five of 13 starts and this four-year-old may be poised for an even bigger sprint win this Summer.

Trompie, who had last run in February, came back from that long injury-enforced break to stalk the pace then outrun favourite Hithemhardsunshine in the Need For Speed Sprint over 1000m.

Vaughan Marshall’s three-year-old blew like a gale in the betting from 3-1 to 8-1 but came back full of running to score convincingly. Hithemhardsunshine moved up menacingly but could not match strides in the last 150m and will improve as he strips fitter. - Cape Racing