Bass could have a ‘Sparkling’ day at Durbanville

Jack Milner

Candice Bass looks to have some decent horses in her stable and while we have not seen the likes over another Charles Dickens just yet, she could be in for a strong season.

It all starts with small steps and Bass could take that first stride at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday where she sends out Sparkling Star in Race 5, a Class 5 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1250m.

This three-year-old daughter of Rafeef has only raced three times for one win and two places, all of them at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Her first start was over 1000m and in spite of racing greenly, and getting bumped, she did well enough to go down just 0.30 lengths to Shezaripper.

Her second outing was over 1200m and she was sent out a 3-10 favourite. However, she was fractious at the start and all her shenanigans came back to bite and she could only finish third.

However, in her third outing it all changed. It was run back over 1200m and this time in soft going. She still plated up a little but this time raced up with the pace and coasted to a two-length winner over Onthewingsofadove.

That was in May and was her last run as a two-year-old and Bass gave her a break for the balance of the season, and she will make her comeback following a 98-day break.

On paper this will not be an easy race for her. She does have to carry 60kg and is giving weight to some older and more experienced fillies and mares but she should be able to rise to the occasion.

She is a daughter of Rafeef and is a half-sister to both Asiye Phambili and Max The Magician and looks a very exciting prospect. She will be making her debut at this track so will be racing around the turn for the first time, however, she is nicely drawn in gate No 3 and will have Aldo Domeyer in the irons.

Domeyer, having ridden her in all three of her races, is quite aware of her foibles. Hopefully, those issues will disappear as she matures.

Also, any give in the ground will be in her favour.