The Robbie and Shannon Hill-trained Camphoratus could well defend her crown in the weight for age Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein on April 18 but it will depend on the draw she lands.
The Byword mare went on last year to finish a fine 2,60 length sixth in the Vodacom Durban July and that race might once again be on her program too, although the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes on the same day is another possibility.
The Hills will give her one more run, or a gallop, before the Empress Club.
That run might be in the Listed Kings Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on March 22, depending on the draw.
Robbie did not feel the athletic five-year-old’s performance had declined this season.
He said in her chief target for the first half of the season, the Grade 1 Gauteng Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein, she had been left “way out of her ground” from a wide draw and had only finished 3,10 lengths back.
He said she is a filly who needs to be left alone and added, “If you use her she doesn’t finish off.”
Camphoratus ran pleasingly at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Sunday.
In the 1400m Pinnacle event she ran on well from last to finish second to the exciting prospect True To Life.
Gareth Wright rode her in both the Empress Club and July last year and was back aboard on Sunday.
Robbie said Wright would stay aboard as he clearly gets on well with her.
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