Magical Wonderland lost her unbeaten record when giving Snowdance way too much start last time, but returns to spearhead the Candice Bass-Robinson challenge in Saturday’s WSB Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth.

“She is doing very well and is ready to go from a good draw. We have Snowdance to beat, but expect a big run from our filly,’’ was the quietly optimistic summation from the trainer.Anton Marcus rides Robinson’s other entry, Querari filly Rings And Things. The one time winner has the lowest merit rating in the field and the trainer is realistic about her chances. “She meets this type of class for the first time, but is consistent and if she gets the run of the race she can possibly earn a stake.’’
In the WSB Merchants Robinson has a trio including Marinaresco, who starts his Cape campaign. “We are going a new route with him this season – the Merchants, the Queen’s Plate and the Met. He is very fresh and well and will be running on, although obviously this is too sharp and 62kg is a big weight for a little horse,’’ she said about the Vodacom Durban July hero.

By contrast, she sees star three-year-old Dutch Philip as having “a genuine winning chance, even though he is 2kg under sufferance. The plan after that is to run in the Guineas on 16 December. He may well turn out to be best sprinting, but we will take our chances there as you only get one opportunity.”

Veteran Tevez has been a stalwart for the yard but now appears close to retirement. “He is doing nicely at home, but we are unsure about his prospects as he was so disappointing last time. If that happens again he may be retired, as he is a super little horse, and owes us nothing,’’ she said about the feisty character.

Our Mate Art is undefeated as a four-year-old, but faces a major challenge to that record in the WSB Green Point Stakes where four of the seven runners are Grade 1 winners. Robinson feels that “he is particularly well and is still improving. On paper he will struggle, but he could surprise a few people’’.

As always this is an outfit that you ignore on the big days at your peril. 

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