Jack Milner
There is nothing better for a racing fan than to find a young horse that gets your skin tingling when you watch it run. A sensation in your gut lets you know that you’re looking at something special.
Anybody who watched Frankel sprint over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in the UK to win the 2000 Guineas will recognise that feeling.
Observing Charles Dickens run gives one the impression that you are observing the emergence of a champion.
Racing in the Western Cape reverts to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday where the Grade 3 Cape Classic for three-year-olds over 1400m tops the card – and Charles Dickens is in that field.
The son of Trippi is a full brother to Charles and Somerset Maugham and a half-brother to Steinbeck, but while those three have at times flattered to deceive, Charles Dickens really looks the real deal.
Trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, he has raced three times for three wins. While he just got up to win on debut, that victory over Yellowporscheroad has produced three winners from eight runners, one of them being Charles Dickens himself.
That was in the Listed Somerset 1200 at Kenilworth where he did not go off as favourite. That role went to Hithemhardsunshine (who runs in Race 6) who, while very fast and very talented, proved no match for the Bass-Robinson runner.
Charles Dickens sat just off the pace and when Aldo Domeyer decided to let go, the race was settled in a couple of strides.
He was rested for just under three months and made his return at Durbanville, his first as a three-year-old, last month. That race turned into a procession as Charles Dickens was never off the bit as he cantered to a 3.25-length victory over Iconic Destination.
That was a perfect warm-up for the Cape Classic where he is confidently taken to add this Grade 3 race to his tally of winners.
This is obviously a sterner test than his last run, but his trainer is very happy with her charge.
“He is doing very well at home and we look forward to his race on Saturday in the Cape Classic,” Bass-Robinson said on Twitter.
“He will go from here either straight into the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas or perhaps a sprint before that, but I’m happy with his progress.”
Domeyer has been aboard for all three of his wins and will be back in the irons for this race.
Charles Dickens is the best weighted runner and is followed by a pair of Brett Crawford-trained inmates.
At My Command, also a three-time winner, is rated 2.5kg behind Charles Dickens and could pose the main threat. On a line through Hithemhardsunshine the Querari colt is held by the favourite, but he has improved racing over further.
Keagan de Melo rides but has No 10 draw to overcome.
Stablemate Port Louis is rated 1.5kg lower than At My Command but when they last met, which was over this course and distance, only a head separated them.
We’re Jamming is another with ability but Justin Snaith’s charge has not raced since June and could be in need of the run.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Inside Story, 5 Captain Casanova, 3 Gimme's Laddie, 11 Aussenkehr
Race 2: 11 Red Sash, 2 Everlasting, 12 Anna Karenina, 15 Ygritte
Race 3: 7 Hunting Trip, 4 Cityscape, 5 Camille Claudel, 8 Country Time
Race 4: 9 Allende, 8 Jazzbella, 1 Typeface, 2 Beau Kala
Race 5: 8 Golden Hostess, 2 Inara's Dynasty, 6 Hold My Hand, 5 Future Girl
Race 6: 7 Hithemhardsunshine, 3 Trompie, 8 Red Impact, 5 Tough Terrain
Race 7: 2 Ambiorix, 16 Resonate, 14 Surjay, 12 Gimme A Prince
Race 8: 5 Charles Dickens, 10 At My Command, 8 We're Jamming, 2 Port Louis
Race 9: 2 The Second Wave, 8 Ragnar Lothbrok, 1 Dragonfly, 3 Itsrainingwilliam
BEST BET
Race 8 No 5 Charles Dickens
VALUE BET
Race 9 No 2 Second Wave
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 8x9
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 11
Leg 2: 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 8, 9
Leg 4: 2, 6, 8
Leg 5: 3, 7, 8
Leg 6: 2, 12, 14, 16
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 4, 7
Leg 2: 8, 9
Leg 3: 2, 8
Leg 4: 3, 7, 8
Leg 5: 2, 14, 16
Leg 6: 5
Leg 7: 1, 2, 8
PICK 6
R1280
Leg 1: 8, 9
Leg 2: 2, 5, 6, 8
Leg 3: 3, 5, 7, 9
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 16
Leg 5: 5
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
JACKPOT 1
R128
Leg 1: 2, 5, 6, 8
Leg 2: 3, 5, 7, 9
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 16
Leg 4: 5
JACKPOT 2
R160
Leg 1: 3, 5, 7, 9
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 16
Leg 3: 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8