Cape Guineas runner-up Linebacker, a ‘scary horse’ in the words of his veteran trainer, and now a Derby-winning a son of an Equus Champion Sprinter, allayed any stamina doubts when he stormed home to win the R750 000 Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Cape Derby at a sundrenched Kenilworth on Saturday.
Grant van Niekerk steers Linebacker to a momentous win (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In a stamp of top rank achievement again for the Captain Al sire line, former Equus Champion Sprinter Captain Of All, a speed machine who clocked 55,96 seconds when setting a new 1000m record at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in 2015, celebrated his Cape Derby winner courtesy of a rampant Grant van Niekerk teaming up in a rare moment for the Marshall yard.
Vaughan Marshall, SA racing’s own ‘heart of the Captain’, previously won the Cape classic in 2011 when Marthinus Mienie booted home the Al Mufti son Top Seller for the late Roy Eckstein.
And Saturday’s victory would have been an extra sweet one for the greying trainer, as he saddled the first two home, when Rascallion (5-2) chased his stablemate Linebacker (7-1) – a deficit of 1,50 lengths being the difference at the line.
With the Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock sadly destroying his chances and fighting his rider out front all the way around, the pace was not genuine – although the 124,38 secs clocked by Linebacker was faster than that registered ten years ago when Top Seller went the 2000m in 124,99 secs.
Vaughan Marshall – nears the 40 Gr1 winner milestone (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The well-backed 7-2 favourite The Gatekeeper had every chance but had to be content with third, a half length behind Rascallion.
Another Snaith runner filled fourth as Legislate’s son Hoedspruit (20-1) rounded off the quartet.
Despite being above himself in the pre-race and looking awkward in running, Russian Rock managed to stay on for a midfield finish and 6,75 lengths off the winner.
Grant van Niekerk, who rode three feature winners and a few near misses on the afternoon, is riding at the top of his game and overcame the negative of the 12 draw. He said that he knew that there was going to be no pace.
“Mr Marshall gave me the authority to drop him out. My mount turned it on instantly when he went to fetch the leaders. It’s scary – Linebacker has so much improvement to come,” said a clearly impressed Van Niekerk, who rides some fair horses at the Snaith yard.
Vaughan Marshall confirmed that Linebacker had been unlucky in the Cape Guineas.
“He was caught wide in the Guineas but relaxed well and stayed all the way to the line. There had to be a doubt over his stamina today, but he is a horse that just gets better the more we throw at him. Well done to our owners and to Klawervlei.”
Gr1 regulars Ken and Jane Truter own the winner in partnership with stalwart Cheryl Gabler, whose first Gr1 success it was.
“I wanted a Gr1 winner before I die. I’m ready now,” she laughed.
The Cape Derby winning team (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A R425 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate and bred by Klawervlei, Linebacker is out of the Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice mare Thin Red Line, whose two career wins were both over 1000m – but she was placed over 1800m and 2000m.
Linebacker has won 2 races with 4 places from 6 starts and stakes of R761 500.
It’s a pity that new rising star Kommetdieding didn’t turn up today.
But Vaughan Marshall is on his way to KZN for the national championships. So hope that the SA Champions Season sees him taking them all on in a few months from now.
