The Cape Winter Series has been a happy hunting ground for owner Marsh Shirtliff, dating right back to the days of Pocket Power. The veteran continued the tradition at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, courtesy of the 6yo soldier Rascallion who scored a deserved victory in the R350 000 Gr3 Variety Club.
Morne Winnaar has Rascallion in front as Port Louis (Louis Mxothwa,red cap) challenges. Montien (Anthony Andrews) ran third (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Running fresh off a brave second behind Double Superlative in the WSB Cape Town Met ten weeks ago, the son of Vercingetorix powered up the middle carrying topweight under replacement rider Morne Winnaar to catch the dour pacesetter Montien.
The big gelding produced a good finish to beat the late-running Port Louis (16-1) by a length in a time of 99,52 secs.
Montien (5-2) ran a good race a head back in third.
This was Rascallion’s first win in over a year, but the gelding has been a true soldier and bumped the best in a career punctuated by a year break for an injury recovery.
“We will bring him back to win the Met in 2025,” joked owner Marsh Shirliff, who was joined by delighted breeder, Dr Veronique Kritzinger, on the podium.
It was Morne Winnaar’s first graded win for the season.
Sold on the Cape Premier Book 1 Sale for R350 000, Rascallion is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the Jet Master mare, Sofala.
A winner of 5 races with 13 places from 25 starts, he took his total stakes earnings to R1 632 776.
Vaughan Marshall confirmed that his charge will be kept at home in the Cape for the balance of the Winter Series.
