Milnerton master Vaughan Marshall fancies his chances of securing his fourth Met trophy at Kenilworth on Saturday with his multiple Gr1 winner Linebacker primed and ready to fire.
With trophies dating back to La Fabulous in 1996, Hill Fifty Four in 2014 and One World in 2020, the now 70 year old former Natalian is the winning most conditioner in Saturday’s renewal.
Vaughan’s first – La Fabulous wins the 1996 J&B Met
The senior statesman of the Cape trainers, he says that he is loving the job far too much to even consider retirement.
He told the Sporting Post on Tuesday that the hard work had been done and it was all systems go for the Klawervlei-bred 4yo.
“We will give Linebacker a sprint up on the sand track here at Milnerton on Thursday and then the work is done. He is superbly well, and while I have been in racing too long not to respect my opposition, I feel that he has a massive winning chance,” added the veteran.
Linebacker – massive runner (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Regular pilot Grant van Niekerk, who won the Met in 2018 on Oh Susanna for the Snaiths, is back after his personal overseas travel plans were aborted in early January, and Vaughan says that there shouldn’t be any excuses.
“Grant knows him well and has been aboard at both his Gr1 victories. He really is a versatile horse so I am not worried about the pace either. We are going in with confidence,” he added.
Watch La Fabulous’s win 26 years ago:
Linebacker is currently at 5-1 with Hollywoodbets. Please click on the image below to read more!
