Champion Trainer Mike Bass Signs Off At Greyville

Champion trainer Mike Bass will bid to win the Group One race named in his honour as he signs off on his distinguished career on Super Saturday at Greyville next weekend.

The field for the R1 million Mike & Carol Bass Champions Cup includes his smart three-year-old gelding Marinaresco, who came close to winning the G1 Vodacom Durban July three weeks ago.

Bass, whose mobility has been compromised as a result of illness, will hand over his Bass Racing stable to his daughter Candice after the Greyville meeting on July 30.

Marinaresco won the Winter Guineas and Winter Classic before he was shipped to Durban for the Vodacom Durban July where he ran a fantastic race to take second place behind The Conglomerate.

He will be one of the favourites to win the Champions Cup (1800m) under stable jockey Grant van Niekerk but faces formidable opposition including the Joey Ramsden-trained St Tropez.

St Tropex finished second to Solid Speed in the Betting World 1900 before he found problems in the July where his near last finish is best ignored.

Saratoga Dancer, a surprise fifth in the July, will be out to improve on that performance while Punta Arenas from the Dennis Drier yard will have followers after his gutsy win in the over 2200m at Greyville on July day.

Rocketball from the Gavin van Zyl stable will be fancied on his SA Derby placing and fourth in the G1 Daily News 2000 while Charles Laird has the Cup Trial winner Exit Here.

Sean Tarry has two runners Gold Onyx and Malak El Moolook with stable jockey S’manga Khumalo waiting for a decision on the one he will ride.