Cape Dreams News from in and around the Cape
Smart money on MARCUS AURELIUS at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth
16 May 2026 — Candice Bass trained MARCUS AURELIUS, distinguished himself when he was just beaten by FUTURE FREE a month ago. His conqueror went on to run way above his official rating behind Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1 entry LA PULGA and VIVA’S LIBERTe in the Legal Eagle Stakes Gr 3, giving 15 April form a neat sheen.
The Legislate gelding is a bit of a query on soft ground and might not be totally reliable, yet he stands out on pure ability and can use his sharp acceleration to get the job done in Race 7, a Class 4 over 1500m, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, today.
It’s positive that Aldo Domeyer, a 28% win and 60% place rider on Bass’ horses, sticks solid. Blinkers, worn at that strong last start, are retained.
FERRYMAN is the principal danger, coming in off a fluent Maiden score. Trainer Eric Sands paid a full tribute to fellow conditioner Andre Nel, who agreed to send the Vercingetorix ex Halfway to Heaven 3YO colt to him. Sands has been most successful with Halfway to Heaven’s progeny, think of Rainbow Bridge, Golden Ducat and Foudre, so Nel was happy for Sands to take over and work with a family he understands intimately.
Bass will also fancy her chances in Race 5 with BACKINTHEFASTLANE. This 3YO Captain of All gelding has come to light recently, stiff when held up behind SPIRIT OF LEVANA and then swooping to thwart a betting plunge on subsequent winner, LARK’S SONG.
Not even a six-point raise may be enough to stump his progress, though he too is a slight question on very soft ground. JP van der Merwe, who delivered him with perfect timing last start, will try repeat.
Bass’s recent Maiden winner, SUPER VIKING, is expected to continue his progress since being gelded and is respected.
BALZI ROSSI is proven in the slush, and Vaughan Marshall’s go-to jock, Richard Fourie, is engaged, so they, too, should contend.
BOURBON KING is not a straightforward runner and will test SA’s log-leading rider, Craig Zackey, and his balancing skills. That said, despite a troubling tendency to be slow out and hang, he has more than enough ability to shed his Maiden tag, witness a fine closing rush to get within 1.25 lengths of heavily backed, SPANISH VERSE only two weeks ago at this venue.
Andre Nel’s charge now goes an extra furlong, which seems the right move, and he looks hard to resist in Race 4.
ROYAL INFLUENCER is the horse he will need to close down. Justin Snaith’s entry has run three neat races in succession racing handy, and he starts from gate 2, which should secure a smooth rails trip.
MASTERONTHEMOON also enters the reckoning after staying on willingly in a false run contest behind Nel’s gun-to-tape victor, PHANTOM MAN. He was supported at his penultimate, also a slow early set up behind TRIP TO CAMELOT, when kicking on nicely.
James Crawford gets his runners super-fit and with Richard Fourie booked, it seems MASTERONTHEMOON is primed to give it a full go in tiring ground.
True 100/1 shots usually vanish without trace, but OH SO ONEDERFUL dramatically outrun those odds in the race won by Ferryman and was “oh-so- unlucky” not to stun that field. He was continually held up – when finally getting a split the race was practically over, yet he still flashed up to be just 1.45 lengths adrift at the wire.
Brevan Plaatjies will be hoping for a cleaner passage this time and for OH SO ONEDERFUL to confirm the merits of that course and distance effort when they contest Race 3, a Maiden over 1400m.
Many dangers lurk, however. PROTECTOR OF PEACE, BIG DEAL and THE BIG BANG exit the Sky Rocket form line. Adding BIG DEAL, based on a decent penultimate effort, and CAESAR’S RANSOM, who has a competitive back form and may appreciate a cut on the ground, and this doesn’t look like a race to go short in when crafting P6 tickets.
SPARKING STAR made favourite backers look foolish when getting rolled at 3/10 on 01 April. She was fractious and got hurt on that occasion when she was outrun by Mystic Inferno, and will try to make amends in Race 1.
Given that SHEZARIPPER, who only just held her off when they clashed in a key race in February, subsequently performed admirably in the Winter Nursery Gr 3, the Bass/Domeyer duo’s Rafeef filly should get off the mark in the opener.
Forgiving punters, taking multiples, will likely hook her up in various combination bets once again, and hope for a happier outcome than the costly April Fool’s Day mishap.
– Mark van Deventer’s preview for Saturday, 16 May 2026 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Picture: Race Coast
