A dramatic finish followed by an objection by the trainer of the runner-up added plenty of tension to the opening leg of the R1 million Cape Winter Series at a sundrenched Kenilworth on Saturday.
Coming off a break of 13 weeks following his big win in the CTS 1600 on Sun Met day, there was no lack of support for the popular Captain Al colt One World, who has endeared himself to racegoers with his never-say-die bold galloping style.
Anton Marcus and One World (inside) get the narrow verdict from Vardy (Craig Zackey) in a thriller (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
In a R250 000 Gr3 Winter Guineas field of seven, Anton Marcus had the 4-10 shot at the head of affairs from the break and, but for a momentary stride just inside the 200m marker, he was not headed in a gallant display of heart and raw courage.
When the progressive Vardy ranged up under Craig Zackey at the 200m, it was clear that One World had a race on his hands. After Vardy had shifted in, the two made contact on a few occasions, with both jockeys changing whip hands late.
At the line trainer Vaughan Marshall’s One World kept his head in front to gain a short head verdict in a time of 99,77 secs.
Vardy and One World go head to head (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Anton Marcus had to face an objection lodged by his nephew, trainer Adam Marcus
Majestic Mozart was beaten a further 2,75 lengths back in third, with the rest well beaten.
Herodotus, reshod at the start, ran fourth.
A Klawervlei bred, One World is a son of Captain Al (Al Mufti) and is out of the UK placed Aquilonia (Giant’s Causeway).
The top-class winner cost R425 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and took his earnings to R3 292 500 with 7 wins and a place from 8 starts.
Proud winners! (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Next up is the R250 000 Gr3 Winter Classic to be run over the Kenilworth winter course 1800m on Saturday 25 May. The series reaches a climax on 29 June with the running of the R250 000 Gr3 Winter Derby over the stamina sapping 2400m.
A bonus of R250 000 will be paid to the owners of the horse that wins all three legs.
Based on his racing style and his knife edge experiences over the mile, it seems that One World is unlikely to try the 1800m of the second leg.
THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: (NS)
- a) From the 200m VARDY (C Zackey), which was hanging, shifted in, and made contact with ONE WORLD (A Marcus), which became unbalanced, rolled out, and brushed VARDY (C Zackey). Thereafter ONE WORLD (A Marcus) and VARDY (C Zackey) brushed on a number of occasions in the concluding stages. Trainer A Marcus, trainer of VARDY, declared 2nd place, lodged an Objection against ONE WORLD being declared the winner on the grounds of interference in the latter stages. The Board, after reviewing the patrol films, and hearing all the evidence presented, was of the opinion that VARDY would not have finished ahead of ONE WORLD and therefore overruled the Objection and allowed the Judges’ result to stand. The deposit was refunded.
- b) Jockey A Marcus (ONE WORLD) was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline C on the use of the crop) in that he struck the horse ONE WORLD more than three times on consecutive strides in the latter stages. Jockey A Marcus signed an admission of guilt and was fined R1,000.00.
- c) ONE WORLD (A Marcus), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer V H Marshall was advised. (BM)
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Gr3 Winter Guineas (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, April 27, R250k, 1600m, turf, good, 1.39.77
1 – ONE WORLD (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Aquilonia (USA) by Giant’s Causeway (USA). Owner Messrs E A Braun, K P Truter & A J van Huyssteen & Mrs Jane Truter; Breeder Klawervlei Stud; trainer VH Marshall; jockey A Marcus
2 – Vardy (SAF), 58.0, b g 3, Var (USA) – Cupid (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
3 – Majestic Mozart (SAF), 58.0, b g 3, Dynasty (SAF) – Sound The Flute (USA) by Theatrical (IRE)
Margins: 0.10, 2.75, 0.75
