Bass rules again as Tevez takes Merchants

CAPE Merchants king Mike Bass did it again at Kenilworth yesterday, winning this hugely competitive handicap for the seventh time in 17 years and, for good measure, sending out three of the first four.

Aldo Domeyer on last year’s winner Tevez, trying to thread his way through the eye of a needle approaching the furlong marker, had to switch right when the tiny gap closed but he still got up on the 8-1 chance 30m out to beat Daring Dave by threequarters of a length. Hammie's Hooker was a head away third, half a length in front of Lanner Falcon.

Bass said: “I liked Lanner Falcon and Tevez but I had a lot of respect for Hammie's Hooker and I think her next run will be the Diadem here on 27 December. Then I will consider either the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate or the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes, both on 10 January.’’

Capetown Noir, beaten less than four lengths into eighth and running for the first time since July day, delighted Dean Kannemeyer after running prominently throughout.

He said: “I was very pleased. That will bring him on tremendously and I will fit another race in before the Queen's Plate.’’

But, sadly for punters, De Kock added to the appalling record of favourites in this race - the last 13 have all lost. This time the 9-2 chance was in trouble a long way out and finished with only four behind him.

A disappointed Corne Orffer said: “His work had been so good yet he was the first horse gone.’’

Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night made Bass’s day by making a winning return under Grant van Niekerk in the conditions plate and her trainer said: “The Betting World Cape Flying Championship is her mission and she could run in Southern Cross and Sceptre en route.’’