Kings Queens and bits in between

It’s the first day of spring, and I’m sure you’re as happy as I am to see the back end of winter, this rain really is depressing. In this months editorial we take a look at some of the up and coming talent in the Bass yard, the National Equus awards and catch up with our old friend Dunford. As it is the Holy month of Ramadaan we wish all our Muslim friends and readers an easy and pleasant fast. ‘Ramadaan Mubarrak’ may the blessings of the month be showered upon you.

MBR enjoyed some rich success last season but none as pleasurable as witnessing Pocket Power obtaining his second Horse of the Year title at the national Equus awards held at the Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng. Marsh Shirtliff delivered a stirring speech and was lavish in his praise to all those concerned in Pocket Powers success. It’s the ultimate racing accolade and a remarkable accomplishment for Marsh, Arthur Webber and Dan De Wet. Pocket Power also won titles for Champion older miler and Champion older middle distance horse. His dam, Stormsvlei was awarded broodmare of the year and his sire Jetmaster was an obvious award as Champion Stallion.  

Jean Jaffee’s promising Camden Park filly Consensual achieved the title of Champion 2yo filly for her five wins from seven starts including the grade 1 Golden Slipper and the Kenilworth fillies’ nursery (GR3).

Champion trainer was well earned by Mike De Kock while Mike was Bass was pleased with finishing 4^th overall on the national log, while claiming his 6^th champion trainer title in the Western Cape.  

Pocket Power and Consensual, along with the other Durban campaigners, have arrived back from their short rest on Terry and Annabel Andrews’s farm (Sorrento Stud) and are back into some enjoyable light work at home. Pocket Power has just turned 6 and will contest the same string of features as the previous season, with the Queens Plate and Met, being his immediate goals.

We have a promising string heading into this years summer season especially among the fillies, who are showing some endearing ability on the tracks and training grounds. Rose Reserve, by Lake Coniston out of Rose Reserve, has had appealing form to Consensual and after a four month layoff returned to the track to win convincingly by 3 lengths at a minimal fitness level. The impressive Victoriana  (by Jetmaster out of Gem Queen) is a black type earner from her third start and will be one to keep a stern eye out for this season as will be grade 3 colts nursery champion Empress Crown.

Victoriana and Rose Reserve will be in action in theGr3 WFA Diana Stakes at Kenilworth in two weeks time.

From the colts Noble Act and Los Colmos appear to be promising and their first appearance this season will be in the group 3 Sophomore Sprint on Saturday.

Cymbeline was having her last start in the listed Jockey Club stakes at Arlington on Friday which she won convincingly and a decision has been made to race her another season. Having won the Winter Oaks earlier on in her career she now has earned small black type twice and has now won 6 races and been placed 5 times from her 25 starts.

Thundering Jet is a recent acquisition to the yard. He started his career very promisingly but has not quite lived up to his potential. He is a strong horse and we are hoping he can return to peak performance this season.

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1995 Durban July winner Dunford, last year retired to part owner Grenville Wilsons farm in Badfontein Valley between Lydenburg and Machadodorp. Grenville has adopted many past champions to his farm which is open for visitors to view these equine hero’s. Grenville has informed us that Dunford has settled in well in his new retirement home doing nothing more than eat, relax and enjoy his regular pedicures and manicures. He is pictured with Grenville’s niece Tammi and his best friend Eastwood (5 time Argentine champion). He has informed us that he now knows what cattle look like and has also been introduced to blesbuck and black wildebeest. He has many visitors who wish to see a past July winner, but they are invariably disappointed and don’t believe that such a little horse could win the Durban July.

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Some equine news of a different sort is that Candice Robinson obtained her Western Province colours and has been selected to compete in the South African showing Championships held in Kyalami on the 29^th of September with her horse Gold Rush. Nicholas Robinson took his first steps on this first day of spring and I’m sure it shouldn’t be too long before he’s also in the saddle alongside his mum. Congratulations to our assistant trainer Danny Cobbold, who announced that their first addition to the family is on the way.

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Just a reminder that the website is in full operation again after another minor setback. The problem now looks to be fully resolved. Mike Bass wishes to thank all our sponsors and supporters of our stable and website namely Lionel Cohen from Equimark, Otto Van Tonder from Property Skillz and Cutter and Buck for their clothing sponsorship.

It’s been a good month for our SMS tipping service, lets hope our roll continues, see you next month.