Trainer Candice Bass may not have had runners for recent Grade 1 three-year-old races, but her stable has, nevertheless, been in hot form, the yard coming away with a four-timer last week. At Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday she again looks to have some big winning chances.
Top-class speedster Tenango looks hard to beat in Race 5, a Conditions Plate over 1000m and stands out as banker in all bets.
The Canford Cliffs gelding’s winning form started around this time last year. He produced some dominant displays showing a love for Kenilworth and then went on to demonstrate he could be the best around with a smooth performance in the usually difficult-to-win 2025 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
He followed that up with a great second in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint where a wide draw didn’t help his chances. The horse that won, Buffalo Storm Cody, got first run on Tenango and he has gone on to become one of the highest rated sprinters in the land. Third-placed Asiye Phambili came back from a six-month break to frank the form last week, winning the Southern Cross Stakes with a massive 63.5kg on hi back.
Until he meets Buffalo Storm Cody again, Tenango should add more to his tally and must be followed. Watch out for Alec Laird’s charge Fire Attack. The Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner must find it short but with 54kg is very well weighted and could threaten. Sean Tarry’s 2024 Golden Horse winner Lucky Lad who has an amazing turn of foot on his day. is another using this as a stepping-stone.
Bass’ runner in the next race, Rattlesnake, also boasts strong form lines. The useful Buffalo Bill Cody gelding had a bright start to the season winning on his return in August and then followed that with two cracking efforts at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
He gave horses that finished ahead of him loads of weight while a wide draw was another hurdle, but importantly, the form of those runs has been well franked. Back at this venue at which both of his wins have come, he didn’t draw well and yet ran another cracker, finishing not far off Touched By Angels and importantly ahead of Astronomical Boy and Mauritius Kestrel, both of whom have won since.
In Race 6, a C Stakes over 1000m, not only has he drawn well in gate No 2, but he is the only runner with a 4kg apprentice claim, and on paper that makes him the best weighted runner in the race.
The Stakes race appears competitive, but Rattlesnake looks to have much in his favour and appeals as the value bet of the day.
Clive Robinson
