Bass Racing is sending a conservative string up to KwaZulu Natal for the winter season and this year is no different at all. A few of our raiders have already made the journey east and have settled in at Summerveld training centre.
Starting off with our juvenile contenders for the season, Winter Cloud and The Charleston. Both fillies have settled in well since heading to Summerveld. Winter Cloud, a full sister to dual grade one winner Clouds Unfold, is already a black-type winner after a convincing victory in the Cape Nursery (Gr3) against the boys. The Charleston, a close relation to champion sprinter Via Africa also showed the field a clean pair of heels in the Bloodstock South Africa Sales Cup (Non-Black Type). Both fillies will begin their KZN campaigns in the Strelitzia Stakes (Gr3) before going onto the Allen Robertson (Gr1) at the beginning of June.
Golden Hostess is no stranger to the east coast after running fourth in the Umkhomazi Stakes (Gr2) last year as a two year old, coming off a fairly decent cape summer campaign where she has notched up two non-black type feature victories and is now grade one placed after running third in the Majorca Stakes (Gr1), she will be making her seasonal debut in the KZN Fillies Guineas (Gr2).
The old timer and tough as nails Arctic Drift is also taking his place in the string where he will campaign in the staying features after showing his ability to stay quiet comfortably during the summer in the cape and a flying finish in the Algoa Cup.
Moving onto Charles Dickens and Marina who have yet to travel up country, they will have their final preparations before heading east next week. Marina will take her place in the now open Woolavington (Gr1) and Charles Dickens will commence his campaign in the KZN Colts Guineas (Gr2). Another possible addition to the string will be the daughter of Captain Al, Do Angels Cry. There’s a larger black-type offering for a mare such as her before she retires to stud at the end of the season.
Trip Of Fortune
Trip Of Fortune will be making his way from Johannesburg after a fruitful victory in the Horse Chestnut Stakes (Gr1) earlier this month. Trip has now managed to secure a grade one, two and three this racing calendar year, placing him in an early lead for horse of the year, followed by our very own Charles Dickens. He will most likely be making his seasonal debut in the Drill Hall Stakes (Gr2).
It’s been an exciting year for the stable thus far and we are hoping for a great KZN campaign!
