By Mark van Deventer
Vaughan Marshall’s doughty warrior, RASCALLION won the Cape Mile, a Gr 3 for horses four years and older at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday in a thrilling, four horses across the track, photo finish.
Gavin Lerena gave the seven-year-old Vercingetorix ex Sofala gelding a perfect rail hugging steer, positioning his mount just right in midfield as IT’SRAININGWILLIAM and MONTIEN cleared off at an enervating gallop.
ZAPATILLAS also launched a powerful stalking bid with 9/4 favourite GIMME A PRINCE, who was held up dead last a long way off the early tempo, surging on the grandstand side.
The tenacious RASCALLION has not only overcome physical issues throughout his career but is always up for a scrap come race day. He has a wonderfully smooth, extended stride-action to compliment his competitive nature.
He was returned at an SP of 15/2. The final time for the Cape Mile was 96.03 seconds on a firm turf surface.
Since starting his racing life with an encouraging place in the 2020 Cape Nursery behind now speed stallion, Erik the Red, RASCALLION has subsequently held his own against the best horses in SA; winning up to Gr 2 level (Premier Trophy) and placing multiple times in G1’s from a mile to 2000m. His box score record reads 27 starts for six victories, four seconds, seven thirds and three fourths with prize money closing in on R2 million.
“Let’s hope he pulls up in one piece tomorrow,” said the ever-diligent, Marshall who has handled RASCALLION expertly. Second in the 2024 WSB Cape Town MET when leading nearly all the way, only to get zapped by Double Superlative’s flurry, Marshall is again targeting that historic Gr 1 with his stable stalwart.
12/1 chance, ZAPATILLAS is rounding back to peak form at his third start after gelding. It’s been a long time since he last won (924 days) but on the evidence of this sterling effort, Brett Crawford’s charge could soon be ready to snap that losing sequence. He certainly has the natural ability to mix it with high quality rivals.
Third placed, GIMME A PRINCE, dropped out from the widest draw of 10, made up many lengths to only succumb by a head at the wire. He was the only horse to dip under 23 seconds for the final 400m, more than half a second quicker than better-positioned foes, RASCALLION and ZAPATILLAS, who toiled through the last two panels in 23.6 seconds.
Dean Kannemeyer’s charge will most likely have a dip at the LÓrmarins Kings Plate over 1600m next. If the barrier draws are kinder, then he must be a massive threat in that Gr 1 on 4 January.
MONTIEN did not lay down without a fight, either. He was merely half a length back at the wire and Piet Botha’s robust Louis the King gelding is another with Gr 1 aspirations during the Cape Summer Season.
