Vaughan Marshall and the late champion sire Captain Al are Cape Guineas institutions and the combination take another step to classic history on Saturday. The undefeated One World, a son of Captain Al, takes his next stepping stone to Cape Guineas glory when contesting the Gr2 Concorde Cup.
The exciting William Longsword wins Guineas in 2016
Marshall won the Cape Guineas back in 2000 with Al Mufti’s smart son Captain Al, who was to go on and retire a multiple Gr1 winner of ten races. The handsome bay went on to garner a Champion Sires title (2014) and eight consecutive 2yo sires titles and will go down in history as one of the most prolific sires of 2yo stakes winners ever to stand at stud in South Africa. He died in July 2017.
Tap O’Noth Guineas lead – 2017(Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The same trainer saddled Captain Al sons William Longsword – like his Dad a stallion in the Klawervlei barn today – and the classy Tap O’Noth to win the Cape Guineas in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Unbeaten One World – very highly regarded (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
So the pressure is on Langerman One World and he comes in off his final prep unbeaten in four starts. He came through his prep run at Durbanville last month with a gutsy performance to beat the older Kasimir, who runs today in the Merchants.
Joburg raider Chimichuri Run, a dual stakes winners, and recent well beaten runner-up to National Park in the Graham Beck Stakes is the first external litmus test for One World to date. The son of Trippi steps up to a mile and will be ridden by regular pilot, S’manga Khumalo.
Chimichuri Run – well beaten in Graham Beck – can bounce back
Cape Classic winner Twist Of Fate was a runner up in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes last term before demolishing his opposition over the 1400m last time out. It will be interesting to see whether Bernard Fayd’herbe adopts similar tactics from his 3 draw.
Cape Classic winner Twist Of Fate (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
His stablemate Arabian Air ran on well at his first run back last month and may be ready to up his game and show his Guineas aspirations with a big run here.
The Australian-bred Crown Towers is drawn out wide but gets the services of Snaith first-call rider Richard Fourie. He is 4kgs better off with Herodotus for a 1,25 length beating at his last start but needs to improve.
Second of the Snaith pair, Trip To The Sky won his first run as a 3yo when beating Retro Effect – who is still a maiden after a further three starts. Trip To The Sky failed to quicken last time when well fancied but beaten 3,50 lengths by Zeb in a Durbanville MR 84 Handicap.
First of the Glen Kotzen duo is Herodotus, a rather well bought (at R170k) son of Trippi who has won his last two stats after banking second cheques at his first two starts. He beat Crown Towers by 1,25 lengths over the course and distance at the end of October and takes the Snaith runner on with a 3kgs turnaround – a tough ask.
The R6 million yearling Charles is yet to set the world alight since winning on his Kenilworth 1200m debut back in January. The son of Trippi was slammed 6,50 lengths by One World in the Langerman last term and it is difficult seeing him reverse matters on 2kgs worse terms on Saturday.
Glen Kotzen -saddles Seattle Force
The Hollywood Syndicate owned Seattle Force has run two decent places in handicap company since winning his maiden at the third time of asking. The son of Mambo In Seattle is bound to be a more serious contender on the summer course and ran a commendable third behind Brett Crawford Derby prospect Hudoo Magic over the course and distance last time out.
More Magic was beaten 5,25 lengths in the Cape Classic by Twist Of Fate and looks very well held by the Ramsden star. He is also well held by One World on his penultimate jump.
This Guineas trial will sort the men from the boys. One World will know he was in a scrap – he could be good enough to maintain his unbeaten record and is the choice to get to Twist Of Fate, with Chimichuri Run bound to be thereabouts.
