One of the shortest priced favourites in decades (5/10) for this Grade 1 Classic, Charles Dickens (by Trippi) lived up to his superstar billing when obliterating high quality, yet ultimately over-matched, opposition in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas for three-year-olds over 1600m.

Stable mate Canford Lights ensured a rapid tempo with Charles Dickens far back, understandable given his wide draw of 11. Eventual 3rd and 4th placed At My Command and Royal Aussie raced handily and made forward moves into contention down the long Kenilworth straight. But neither of them, nor late running Cousin Casey (who gamely got up for second) could stay in the same time zone as Charles Dickens once he turned on the afterburners in the centre of the track.

Bred, and owned by Drakenstein Stud, Charles Dickens is a flawless six out of six and is hitting exceptional performance figures that have handicapping gurus extolling his virtues, eliciting comparisons with legends of the SA Turf. And that’s without being fully tested!

Candice Bass Robinson confirmed, “He’s the best I’ve ever trained – just does everything right. This is a huge milestone for Bass Racing,” in reference to this being the first time the family- run stable started by father, Mike, who have won just about everything else that counts, got to lift the Cape Guineas trophy.

Jockey Aldo Domeyer is also mightily impressed, “He’s a very good, freak – so relaxed – in a matter of strides he was in front. He is exceptionally rewarding.”

Last season’s champion juvenile, Cousin Casey bumped a rare talent and was soundly beaten by four lengths, yet emerged with credit, given a 14 draw, to snare At My Command, (who enjoyed a perfect trip this time,) for the exacta slot.

Veteran jockey, Piere Strydom and Nexus have forged a special affinity and they prevailed yet again, after a tough duel with market springer (8’s into 4/1) Imilenzeyokududuma in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap over 1800m.

Nexus is a seven-year-old son of Dynasty, that has been lightly raced at intervals. Nevertheless, he’s been able to win nine of 31 starts under Justin Snaith’s expert handling.

He came out raring to go after another 19-week freshening, racing right on the pace set by Rockin Ringo and Baratheon, then tussling over the final 400m with another son of Dyasty, Imilenzeyokududuma. He caught many bettors looking the wrong way – evident in an official starting price of 50/1.

The high-class, Silvano mare, Marina took out the Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes (G3 for Fillies and Mares) over 1800m for her tenth victory from 21 starts. Even though the early pace was not as quick as she would ideally have liked the lanky chestnut was still able to run past rivals, including stable mate and early leader, Do Angels Cry who kept on for second at 40/1, and draw off for a convincing score as the heavily punted even money favourite.

Marina will next target the Paddock Stakes to try record her first G1 victory. The Met is also an option, revealed trainer Bass, for whom this was a momentous day thanks to the off-the-charts exploits of a fabulous, Charles Dickens.