Sixteen long years spanned trainer Vaughan Marshall’s patient pause between Gr1 Cape Guineas’ drinks.
But the astute Milnerton conditioner kept things in the family with Captain Al’s son William Longsword emulating his highly vaunted sire’s 2000 feat in overcoming a wide draw to score in the prestigious classic.
2000 – Captain Al wraps up the Gr1 Cape Argus Guineas
We won’t ask Mr Marshall which was the sweetest of his four Guineas successes, but it must feel like only yesterday that Jeff Lloyd piloted the legendary Captain Al in the pink Dos Santos silks from the 16/16 draw to win the then Cape Argus Guineas on a beautiful January day.
The only downside on reflection probably being the fact that the stake has only doubled in all this time!
2016 – Captain Al’s son William Longsword streaks clear to win (Pic – Wayne Marks)
But Saturday belonged to the Marshall and Mayfair Speculators team as William Longsword, named after the second ruler of Normandy, showed his Selangor Cup run to be all wrong – turning the tables on the winner Gold Standard and the boom Australian-bred colt, Table Bay, amongst others.
With Cape Classic winner Table Bay at the top of the boards after his Selangor Cup disappointment, and amid the public undertaking of a more patient ride, the son of Redoute’s Choice was taken out to lead, ahead of the fighting Elusive Path, with Africa Rising holding his rails position ahead of William Longsword.
Marcus eased up marginally on Table Bay up front as Elusive Path challenged at the top of the straight, with William Longsword moving up powerfully down the centre.
At the 350m marker, MJ Byleveld smelt blood as he cracked on and grabbed a few lengths on William Longsword, with Gold Standard unwinding.
In a determined drive to the wire, Byleveld wasn’t letting this big one slip from his grasp as he drove the improved again William Longsword out to a sensational half length win in a time of 99.34 secs.
Mayfair Speculators’ Markus Jooste – another Gr1 success
This was a third win in the race in five years for SA’s champion owners after Variety Club (2011) and Act Of War (2014).
Glen Kotzen’s Selangor Cup winner Gold Standard came out of the pack with intent and was not disgraced in running a courageous second, after the Marshall bird had flown and caught him marginally flat-footed.
The runner-up looks an exciting Investec Cape Derby prospect and will relish the extra 400m.
An elated Avontuur sponsored MJ Byleveld said that the winner was fit and well and had given him confidence after an encouraging breeze-up on Thursday.
MJ Byleveld – top ride on the 22-1 shot
“I couldn’t drop him in as he is a long-striding horse. We tracked Anton (Marcus) and Table Bay and when I saw them in trouble at the 400m I knew we would go close. Thanks to the whole team and to Mr Jooste and Mr Brugman,” he said.
Trainer Vaughan Marshall, who had shrewdly supplemented William Longsword after his last win, thanked the Mayfair Speculators’ team for placing such a magnificent horse in his care. He also paid tribute to his staff for the hard work.
The favourite Table Bay – also in the Mayfair Speculators silks – was given every chance by Anton Marcus, who had slowed the gallop down up front. But it didn’t work and he had nothing to come late in the race, conclusively beaten 3,75 lengths into third.
Vaughan Marshall – fourth Guineas success
Phillipi hope Elevated came on strongly to grab fourth, just ahead of the luckless low-flyer Edict Of Nantes, who came from near last turning for home.
Dingaans winner Singapore Sling was beaten 4,60 lengths into seventh, while the KZN challengers Hack Green (5,50 lengths) and Gunner (11,55 lengths) left with their tails between their legs.
Mike de Kock’s Met entry Heavenly Blue finished in midfield, after not finding anything from an unfavourable draw.
William Longsword, a R2,2 million Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 purchase, was bred by Klawervlei Stud.
The son of past champion sire Captain Al is out of the once winning Fort Wood mare, Pagan Princess. That makes him a half-brother to Dean Kannemeyer’s Gr1 winning Real Princess.
A winner of 5 races with 1 place from 7 starts, William Longsword has now banked stakes of R817 500.
Where to next for William? We await that next move with interest.
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Gr1 Cape Guineas (SAf-Gr1)
Kenilworth, South Africa, December 17, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.39.34
1 – WILLIAM LONGSWORD (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Pagan Princess (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA). Owner Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D L Brugman); Breeder Klawervlei Stud; trainer VH Marshall; jockey M Byleveld
2 – Gold Standard (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Trippi (USA) – Olympic Dam (SAF) by Model Man (SAF)
3 – Table Bay (AUS), 60.0, b c 3, Redoute’s Choice (AUS) – Gabriella (GB) by Cape Cross (IRE)
Margins: 0.50, 3.25, 0.40
