Mike Bass is to retire at the end of the season when his daughter Candice Robinson will take over the Milnerton yard.

Bass, 70, informed his staff at their pre-Christmas party on Friday and Mrs Robinson confirmed the announcement in a Tellytrack interview at Kenilworth on Saturday, saying: “I will take out my licence for the new season – it’s exciting – and my father will still be there in an advisory capacity.”

Bass’s health has been hit hard by the savage attack of pneumonia in August that nearly killed him and led to the loss of part of his right leg. Candice has worked with him for the past 13 years.

Bass’s training career started in 1976 and since then he has been Western Province champion trainer nine times, won the Durban July three times, the Met on five occasions and six Queen’s Plates. The legendary Pocket Power has been a major contributor.

Meanwhile, an ominous question mark hangs over Sean Cormack’s career and Dennis Drier’s stable jockey decided to forego his six rides at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Cormack, 45, said: “I’ve got a health issue, I will be sidelined for quite a while and it doesn’t sound positive. It has all happened very quickly and it has come as a shock.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Mike Bass (Nkosi Hlophe)

The highlight of a low key meeting at Greyville on Friday night was a ride by Anton Marcus on the Doug Campbell-trained The Lonsdale in the first race which would be a master class lesson to any aspiring youngster and would be contender for ride of the season if there was such an award. Marcus and Campbell both went on to score hattricks at the meeting.

The Lonsdale was slow away from a wide draw in the Maiden over 1400m and was initially caught eight lengths off the pace. The Mogok gelding had over-raced behind the leaders in a 1600m race in his previous start and consequently found little extra in the closing stages. Marcus had clearly done his homework on Friday night, the first time he had ridden The Lonsdale, because it was soon clear the expected faster in this shorter race was not materializing and the horse was once again beginning to over race. Marcus summed up the situation in an instant and immediately switched his horse outward and rushed him some eight lengths around horses to the front, from where he was able to give him a breather running up the hill. He then stole a length or two at the top of the straight and held on to beat the admittedly weak field by 1,5 lengths. “Superman” had once again done it for the public, who have always appreciated his professionalism in treating every race, whether it be the Vodacom Durban July or a Maiden Plate, with equal resolve. Campbell was full of praise for the ride and confirmed Marcus had phoned him at least twice during the week to discuss the race. It was a good training feat by Campbell too as the Scott Brothers-bred gelding, who races in the famous colours of Des Scott, had earlier had to have a throat operation and has to wear special glue on shoes. Marcus was typically humble and said he had “wanted to get him going” because having watched some replays he had noticed the horse had often “flattered to deceive”. His plans were initially scuppered by The Lonsdale’s tardy start, but he was given a second chance when the pace proved slow.

The two stand out equine performances of the night came from the Duncan Howells-trained three-year-old Argonaut colt Kitty’s Destiny and the Kumaran Naidoo-trained three-year-old High Chaparal filly Princess Vurunya.

Kitty’s Destiny had always struck as a horse who would get better and better and who would enjoy going over ground. He was comfortable in the running of Friday’s MR 66 Handicap over 2000m under Muzi Yeni, who has now without doubt broken into the top echelon of riders in the country, and it was race over when he moved up effortlessly at the top of the straight. He went on to win by 5,75 lengths running off a merit rating of 81, so looks to be going places.

Princess Vurunya later ran in a MR 75 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m on the turf and made light of her 86 merit rating, relaxing nicely before quickening well and winning by 2,75 lengths under Anthony Delpech.

Earlier, Marcus and Campbell had scored a quick double when the Campbell-bred and part-owned A.P. Answer filly Dark Rose, who has been knocking on the door for a whole year, proved her liking for 1400m and finally got her nose in front at the expense of the promising Michael Roberts-trained Durban Blues, who was making her seasonal reappearance.

The Glen Kotzen-trained Western Winter mare French Lass, who had been campaigning in Port Elizabeth, then made it two out of two on the Greyville poly by winning a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares.

Western Winter progeny then made it a quick double when the blinkered Alyson Wright-trained gelding Dark Avenger relished the 2000m trip with blinkers on and beat a maiden field easily under Brandon Lerena.

The Charles Laird-trained three-year-old Australian-bred Bernadini colt Team Guys has always been a talked about horse due to his excellent homework and he is starting to put it together on the racecourse. He won a MR 73 Handicap over 1600m under another finely judged ride by Marcus to follow up on his recent maiden win. It was a meritorious victory as he beat a horse who had brought some useful Cape Town form, Ferdinand The Bull, and the rest of the field well beaten under.

Campbell clinched his hattrick in the last race, a fillies and mares Maiden over 2000m on the turf, and made it a double on the night for progeny of A.P. Answer that he had bred and part-owns. The three-year-old filly Maybe relished the step up in trip and ran on well to score comfortably under Ian Sturgeon.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Anton Marcus

Silver Mountain has been installed 16-10 favourite for Saturday’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas with World Sports Betting. The Mike Azzie-trained Premiers Champion winner Rabada is next on 3-1 and Mike de Kock’s Investec Dingaans scorer Noah From Goa is a 4-1 chance.

Oddsmaker Hilton Hasson said: “We feel that, although Silver Mountain is something really special, the three-year-old fillies crop is not as good as everyone would like to believe. This is why she isn’t hovering around the even money mark as probably expected.”

Victory would make the Mike Bass star the first to complete the Cape Fillies Guineas double since Star Effort in 1991 and the first filly to win the this race for 22 years. If all 17 declared stand their ground it will be the biggest field for more than two decades.

Aldo Domeyer, who has ridden Silver Mountain in all her five starts, was forced to give up his rides at Kenilworth on Saturday. According to Andre Nel, for whom he missed a double, the problem was a twisted thumb ligament “but nothing is going to keep him off Silver Mountain.”

Black Arthur is a notable absentee with Justin Snaith explaining: “I don’t want him to get hammered like Bela-Bela did, going up seven points for finishing fifth. I would rather wait. He will go for the Politician and the Investec Cape Derby.”

Stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who has won three of the last five runnings, has opted for Baritone rather than Star Chestnut (Greg Cheyne) and Ready To Attack (Donovan Dillon).

Dean Kannemeyer, successful five times in the last 11 seasons, will be without a runner after deciding against Mambo Mime (“I wasn’t happy with him after his last run”), Lord Marshal and Cape Speed.

Saturday’s Kenilworth meeting will be a Hassen Adams-inspired spectacular with the GrandWest Paradiso Lounge providing live entertainment, the children’s Burger King theme park expected to attract thousands and the Stop Hunger Now campaign aiming for 25 920 meals to feed hungry kids.

World Sports Betting prices: 16-10 Silver Mountain, 3-1 Rabada, 4-1 Noah From Goa, 7-1 Brazuca, 12-1 Budapest, 14-1 Hard Day’s Night, 16-1 Eighth Wonder, Victorious Jay, 20-1 Illuminator, Nassa, 25-1 Star Chestnut, 33-1 Liege, Ready To Attack, 40-1 Baritone, 50-1 Purple Mountains, Rodney, Jet Air.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Silver Mountain (Kenilworth Racing)

Paterfamilias looks the obvious answer to the Premier Trophy at Kenilworth tomorrow but favourites have a poor record in this race and Dennis Drier is expecting Durban July second Punta Arenas to prove a major threat.

There was over four lengths between them over a furlong less in the Green Point three weeks ago but that was Punta Arenas’s first run for 16 weeks. “He will improve the three or four lengths that he needs so it could be interesting,” remarked Dennis Drier who is bidding for his third Premier in four years.

Aldo Domeyer rode Paterfamilias last time and now Grant van Niekerk takes the ride. “Grant is stable jockey and he wanted to ride the horse,” Candice Robinson explained. “Paterfamilias is well and in good form.”

The favourite has won this race only once in the last ten years and four times finished nowhere so don’t be surprised if there is an upset. Royal Dreamer and last year’s second Helderberg Blue look the most likely contenders.

Sublime Lady may beat the older horses in a wide-open Victress Stakes although stable companion Come Fly With Me makes a lot of appeal. However she has never raced as far as this before and Mrs Robinson has reservations. “I could be wrong but I’m not sure about Come Fly With Me staying the 1 800m,” she said.

Sean Cormack has won the last two runnings and has a big chance on Gathering Flame. “She needed her first run, she is doing well and she will run a nice race,” said Drier.

The first hurdle that punters have to overcome is the Western Cape Bookmakers Association Maiden Juvenile, the opening two-year-old race of the Cape season.

Most of the eight runners are cheaply bought and R400 000 purchase Var Ahead (a daughter of SA Fillies Nursery winner and Allan Robertson second Waywest Goddess) cost more than the rest put together. Several rival trainers said they had heard that the colt is fast.

But how fast? “I don’t know,” answered Justin Snaith. “He is a tank of a horse but I don’t rev up my two-year-olds anymore.”

The twinkle in Vaughan Marshall’s eye suggested he is keen on taking him on with R25 000 buy Desert Dreamer – “She is tiny but she is quick and she has beaten everything I’ve worked her with.”

Glen Kotzen, in double form on Wednesday, runs the Zimbabwe-bred Mount Keith who is also small. He said: “The horse has a big action but it might be a bit short for him. He will be doing his best work at the end.”

Paul Reeves has similar reservations about R25 000 buy Miss Stake, saying: “I don’t know that she is an 800m horse. She would be better over 1 000m.”

Elevated cost R100 000 and is by SA Derby winner Elusive Fort out of a sprinter.  “He is more of a classy sport than a speedy sort,” said Riaan van Reenen.

Rebel Force cost only R15 000 despite being out of a half-sister to a Breeders’ Cup juvenile winner. “He has come to hand quickly but he is not a speedy horse,” cautioned Mike Stewart.

Carl Burger said he couldn’t split Los Ninos (R70 000) and On The Right Path (R30 000) and added: “They are nice horses and I expect them both to go well.”

So it would appear to be a question of whether Marshall’s little filly can topple the Snaith powerhouse. Maybe she can.

By Michael Clower

Picture (Liesl King): Paterfamilias

Greyville’s eight race meeting tonight, with the last two being on the turf, and Scottsville’s meeting of eight races down the straight on Sunday are not easy to assess overall and dividends could be healthy for those who do their homework.

In the first at Greyille tonight, a Maiden over 1400m, The Lonsdale will relish the step down in trip and the likely faster pace. He was a bit strong behind the leaders over 1600m last time, and had the jockey swinging on the bridle, and then found little extra late. Anton Marcus is now up. King’s Landing has some fair form over this trip on turf and should be running on strongly at the finish. He is well drawn and Brandon Lerena is in form. Lecure D has some fair form from1200-1600m but his trainer only rates him an each/way chance.

In the second, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m,  Durban Blues could be too strong despite returning from a five month layoff as she has run close to some of the best of her age and this should be a suitable trip, although a concern is the well below par recent form of her yard. Dark Rose has been knocking on the door for a long time and finished strongly in her first try at this trip last time so she should make a bold bid. Agustina showed some zip over 1000m last time but on pedigree should enjoy this trip. Diamond Prop should have come on from his last start and had some fair form last season. Durban Beach and Majestic Pots both look to have scope for improvement.

The third, a fillies and mares MR 70 handicap over 1400m, is a minefield. French Lass won well on her Greyville poly debut when quickening nicely and although she would prefer the latter trip she can’t be ignored here despite a five point merit rating raise. La Gitano looks to have strengthened and improved since  being given a three month layoff so could make a bold bid having been accorded a lenient merit rating for her easy maiden win over 1200m last month. Floral Secret has run two fair races subsequent to beating La Gitano by four lengths over this course and distance in her Maiden win in August. Bella Miesque is small and game and being by Miesque’s Approval loves the poly, so she could follow up on her course and distance maiden win from a good draw off a reasonable merit rating. Nyangan has some fair Cape Town form over this trip and should earn.

In the fourth race, a Maiden over 2000m, Toreador gelding Osuna has not been an easy ride over shorter but on racing style and pedigree, with the dam having won over 2400m, he looks likely to relish the step up in trip. Saarikh went close over course and distance last time and should be right there again. Apple Jack will relish the step up in trip on pedigree and is drawn in pole with Marcus up. Dark Avenger stayed on gamely from the front over 1800m last time and has gone close over this trip before too.  Nutcracker by Ideal World ran a fair race on turf over 1400m last time out and is another who will relish this trip.

Princess Varunya (Nkosi Hlophe)

The fifth is a MR66 Handicap over 2000m and Kitty’s Destiny will appreciate the step up in trip and has always struck as a sort with plenty of scope for improvement.

Just Like Magic looks to be a useful sort who will enjoy the trip and with a 4kg claimer up could handle a merit rating of 82. Aficionado looks to be an out and out stayer and from a good draw with Delpech up is sure to be contesting the finish. Selvan’s Jet stayed on well from the front last time out to beat Just Like Magic over 1800m and he has an ideal draw of three but if apprentice claims are included he is now 3,5kg worse off with Just Like Magic for a 0,5 length beating. Discourse is down to an attractive merit rating and could be dangerous over a suitable course and distance.

The sixth is a MR 73 Handicap over 1600m. Team Guys has always been a talked about horse and confirmed his liking for this course and distance last time when winning his maiden easily, so a merit rating of 78 looks manageable for this progressive sort. Ferdinand The Bull had some decent Cape Town form and the merit ratings are often suppressed there due to the overall higher class of horse, so he could improve over this more suitable trip having stayed on well over 1400m on his KZN debut. Texican has a nice turn of foot and a resolute finish and is interesting with first time blinkers on although making a respiratory noise last time is a concern.

The first turf race is a MR 75 handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m and Princess Vurunya looks a good middle distance sort in the making and she can make it a hattrick from pole position despite a five point merit rated raise. Leopard Lily is off a competitive merit rating and is drawn well in two over a suitable course and distance and can do well if ridden more conservatively than last time. Lemon Tea has Anton Marcus up and represents a yard who excel when they go over more ground. Archetype could feature if reproducing her best Johannesburg form. Divine Wind, Duchess Kate and Sword Storm are all distance suited and should all be staying on strongly. The yard are expecting an improved run from Classe Mondiale.

Barbosa (Nkosi Hlophe)

The second turf race is a Maiden over 2000m and the improving Modernista looks hard to beat from a fair draw over a suitable trip. Maybe has been staying on over a mile and could be a threat from a good draw. Lizzie’s Chapel is a half-sister to a horse who has won over 1900m so she should enjoy this trip and has some fair form over shorter.

The two highlights of the eight Scottsville Sprints are the fifth and the seventh, a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1000m and a Novice Plate over 1200m. Barbosa looks the meeting banker in the former event, being a horse who has come into his own, drawn on the right side and best in at the weights. In the Novice Plate Isingamoya looked to be a horse who could go places after her impressive maiden win second time out over this course and distance and she could follow up.

By David Thiselton