Candice's Column - After Darkness Light

04/12/2006 Author : Candice Robinson After Darkness Light It has been Roller Coaster month with unpredictable up’s and down’s. Floatyourboat returned from a layoff to win the Merchants Stakes only to find himself sidelined again with a further knee chip which meant a second operation. He underwent surgery 2 weeks ago which was performed by Dr John Mcveigh. They removed the chip and John said all went well. He is now back home and in box rest for the next couple of months. It was a great travesty as He was doing so well and to come out and win a Group 2 after a month and half of work over a distance way short of his best, took some doing. We had great expectations for him this summer season but they were very short lived. We were all very down in the dumps, but just as the darkness settles there comes light.   Float   All spirits were very high this weekend after a scintillating performance by Sun Classique, who despite having all the odds against her, still managed to get up and win in fine style. I woke up on Saturday morning feeling very nervous, which is a little out of the ordinary for me. We had very nice runners on the day all with good chances and the favourite for the Guineas jumping from a very wide draw. All the connections of the filly seemed to be feeling the pressure as there had been substantial offers for the her a few months prior to the race, a wide draw to contend with and then having to find out how good she actually was, but she rose to the occasion and there was a huge amount of emotion and relief after the race from all the parties involved, including myself who shed a few tears. She is a very special filly with an elastic action and one of the best temperaments you could find which makes our job of training her that much easier.   Sun Classique My grandmother, Margeret Jaffer and I   Sky Blaster was another good win on the day as he notched up his second win in a row. He won a good race as he had to overcome his draw and race up front the whole way and stayed on well in the straight. He too is improving all the time and should really come to hand in another 6 months, once he has grown into his very big frame.  Zooming Zellie also won her last start very impressively and was not disgraced in the Victress Stakes on Saturday. She was perhaps a little out of her ground in what turned out to be a slow run race, but ran on strongly in the death to finish 4th beaten a short head out of 3rd. Perhaps also running a week a part took a bit out of her, nevertheless we still rate her as an above average filly and we look forward to her career ahead. Wonder Gold was another that ran very well, finishing 4th after having to race wide the whole race. Jeff felt that had he been drawn better he would have gone very close to winning. All in all it was a very enjoyable day and there were lots of celebrations in our box after the feature. Sky Blaster Cheers! to Sky Blaster Marsh Shirtliff, Guy Shirtliff and Lyn Reid   The month ahead is a very full one with many functions and feature races ahead and once again we don’t get to enjoy a good new year’s eve party as we are racing on the 30th (Queen’s Plate) and then again on the 1st with the Paddock Stake as our feature of the day.  This Friday is the award’s evening at the Lord Charles Somerset Hotel in Somerset West where we have a few nominations, so we’ll be getting the dresses out the cupboard.   Last weekend I attended a Warmblood stallion showing function out in Franschoek at Farm France. They put on a wonderful evening in what was a beautiful setting with tables laid out under the trees with good food, drink and entertainment.  Each of the stallions available to breeders were brought out and shown off by their owners and they were all in super condition, especially the grand old man, Dageraad, himself, he looked amazing. Dageraad   This weekend sees the running of the Diadem Stakes and the Selangor where Jay Peg looks to have a good chance of winning his second feature in a row. Laredo Gold and Pocket Power, who is having his 3rd sprint before the Queens Plate, will be taking their places in the Diadem. Laredo Gold hoping to dot his I’s and cross his T’s once again. I really do hope he can crack 1 big one before he goes into retirement as He certainly deserves it.   Gold Rush and Howling wind are both on holiday at the moment and will be back in work again in the new year as the showing scene is pretty quiet at the moment and I am also feeling like I need a short break from riding to recharge the batteries for the new year. The year has flown by so quickly and one cannot believe that it is Christmas time again. As per usual all my shopping has been left to the last minute. I did attempt some shopping yesterday but was not too successful as I ended up with a new pair of jeans and a dress for myself, maybe next time.   Enjoy the week!!

Title Sponsorship for Mike Bass Racing

04/12/2006 Author : Mark Bass It is with great pleasure we announce that Mike Bass Racing has attracted 3 Title Sponsors to the stable. The decision to attract sponsorship was initiated in conjunction with the launch of Mike’s website – www.mikebassracing.com. The idea of sponsorship is not entirely new to the horse racing industry, as it is seen more often with our local Jockeys.  As trainers in the public eye we believe we can provide a lucrative service to our sponsors, through various mediums available to us in the racing industry.   Title Sponsorship, among other benefits, includes full branding rights to the website, branded racing attire, including horse blankets and trainers clothing, and all associated advertising.   We are proud to publicise our sponsors of National Alamo Car Rental, Equimark Equestrian Sales and Maverick Business magazine, as title sponsors of Mike Bass Racing and Mikebassracing.com. Cutter & Buck premium golf wear have provided a clothing sponsorship to all our staff.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their support of our business. You can be rest assured we will uphold your brand in the highest regard. National Alamo Car Rental will be offering all in the racing industry an exceptional car hire rate. They are represented in 75 countries and currently have 27 branches in South Africa, conveniently situated at all major airports and down town city locations. Special thanks to Managing Director Bruce Barritt and his team.     Equimark Equestrian Sales need no introduction to the Horse Racing Industry and we would like to thank Lionel Cohen for his support in our new venture. Equimark will be launching an exciting new website in the near future so we will keep you posted on the launch date.   Maverick Magazine, ‘a business magazine for people with brains and money’ as their logo suggests, is a business magazine with a difference. Maverick was specifically constructed to break the rules, the business world brims over with engrossing stories that demand telling, and if you want a spade to be called a spade, then look no further, they guarantee that you won't find a fairer business magazine anywhere in the land. Special thanks to Branko Brkic, Phillip De Wet and Thiloshnee Vythilingam.   If you are a keen golfing enthusiast you will know the dominance of the Cutter & Buck clothing range in the elite end of the Golfing market. We would like to thank Langley Perrins for entrusting his brand in our hands.   You will find them all over our website, so please take the time to visit them and take advantage of their unique offers.   We look forward to a fantastic relationship.

Horses For Sale

04/12/2006 Author : Candice Robinson Inner City (R45 000.00)   Runs:            27 Wins:            3 Age:             5 Colour:          Bay Sex:             Gelding Merit Rating:  75 Breeder:        Normandy Stud Bloodline:       SIRE: Hard Up (ARG) DAM: Back Alley SIRE OF DAM: Contraband (IRE)   Future Predictions: A medium size tough, honest horse.  Always tries his best and generally always in the money proving his consistency.  This horse was a super buy at R45 000.00.  He enjoys racing handy over a middle distance trip and will certainly go on to win a few more.   Current Comments: Has been a little inconsistent lately, although has been a little unlucky in the running.  He is a keen worker and always gives of his best.  He has gone to Arc-en-Ciel Stud for a 3 month break.   Eagles World Cup (Contact Candice)   SPECTACULAR WARMBLOOD GELDING FOR SALE:   7 years old, 16 hands, Eagles Warrior sire and Voightland Dora dam.   Eagles World Cup is for sale. He is an amazing character and will achieve at the highest level in any discipline. He was selected to represent WP in showing at the SA championships and achieved the following results: Second in team show hunter; First in individual small show riding and show hunter; Reserve South African Show Hunter. Jerry (nickname) has points in adult novice dressage. He is an amazing horse and will make any competitive rider a wonderful companion!!! Vaderlandsche Ipica (R27 000.00)   6yr grey gelding Done pre-novice and novice dressage. He boxes well and is very safe around kids. Loves to be made a fuss of. He is a very special pony. Wanted: Two mares. One to compete with (Show jumping) and one for breeding either with Al Mufti or Badger Land lines (± 16,1 hands in size).   Please contact Candice Robinson on 083 448 1549

Joke of the Month

04/12/2006 Author : Tammi Eastland Joke of the Month A ventriloquist visiting Australia walks into a small outback village and sees a local sitting on his porch patting his dog He figures he'll have a little fun, so he says to the Aussie "Hey, mind if I talk to your dog? " Villager: "The dog  doesn't talk, stupid " Ventriloquist: "Hello dog, how's it going mate? " Dog: "Doin' all  right. " Aussi: (look of extreme shock) Ventriloquist: "Is this villager your owner?" (pointing at the villager) Dog: "Yep" Ventriloquist: "How does he treat  you? " Dog: "Real good. He walks me twice a day, feeds me great food and takes me to the lake once a week to play. " Aussi: (look of utter  disbelief) Ventriloquist: "Mind if I talk to your horse?  " Aussi: "Uh, the horse don't  talk either. . . . I think. " Ventriloquist: "Hey horse, how's it going?  " Horse: "Cool" Aussi: (absolutely dumbfounded, "as most Ozzys  look) Ventriloquist: "Is  this your owner? " (pointing at the villager) Horse:  "Yep" Ventriloquist: How does he treat you? Horse: "Pretty good, thanks  for asking. He rides me regularly, brushes me down often and keeps me in the barn to protect me from the elements. Aussi: (total look of amazement) Ventriloquist:  "Mind if I talk to your sheep? " Aussi: (in a panic) "The sheep's a liar.  "