While the sophomore classic balance of power may largely lie up North as we enter the six week run-in to the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, veteran classic trainer Vaughan Marshall could be tempted to take his chances after the Foster family homebred Questioning powered clear to win the R300 000 Gr3 Cape Classic at a sunny and festive Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday.
The popular Kurt Darren was the headline act at the Durbanville FestiVille held on the same afternoon, and with the recent erratic unseasonal weather forgotten amid Saturday evening’s unforgettable ‘Bokphoria’, the locals were out in numbers to enjoy a feelgood mix of top-class racing. spiced with a bit of ‘Loslappie’.
Questioning charges clear under Bernard Fayd’herbe (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Cape Classic was run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in 2022 and was a stepping stone into the classics for the inimitable Charles Dickens who crushed his opposition, before rounding off his prep in an allowance plate a month later.
Prior to Charles Dickens, the previous Cape Classic winner to go on to Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas glory was Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster’s Tap O’Noth, who won the big one in 2017 under MJ Byleveld, who is doing such a fine job these days in front of the Cape Racing television cameras.
And on Sunday it was another Marshall 3yo in the familiar Foster scarlet and gold to catch the eye.
Easy to back at 33-10, Bernard Fayd’herbe had the athletic son of Maine Chance’ Oasis Dream stallion Querari relaxed a few lengths off the gallop set by Capsaicin and Zil Morris early on.
In the run for the line the 25-1 Snow Pilot loomed a danger, but had no answers to a determined drive and sustained finished from Bernard Fayd’herbe, who had Questioning (33-10) in command and too strong to win by 1,75 lengths in a time of 83,6 secs.
Dean Kannemeyer would have been pleased with the effort of Green With Envy (5-2), who finished well, but was beaten a further 2,25 length back in third. He looks to be crying out for the mile, but may not be Guineas material at this point.
Enjoy the replay:
Questioning rounded off a hat-trick since shedding his maiden in the dead of winter as trainer Vaughan Marshall labelled him ‘rather special’.
He has won 3 of his 4 starts with 1 place for stakes of R330 875.
Questioning is out of the twice winning Captain Al mare Wheredowego, who raced in the same silks for Vaughan Marshall.
Questioning is a half-brother to the accomplished stakes winning stayer Senso Unico, who also races out of the top Milnerton yard.
