ASIYE PHAMBILI, a late charging second in the race last year to October Morn, went one better in the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Richard Fourie bought her through smoothly in the centre of the track to justify heavy market support (3/1 into 17/10) and fend off the dashing rails run of smart 3YO filly, ROCCAPINA.
GIMMIES COUNTESS progressed from the rear to be third without really threatening over three lengths back.
ASIYE PHAMBILI is a five-year-old mare by speed sire, What a Winter ex Cast a Spell, and is trained by Gareth van Zyl. This eighth victory from 21 starts took her career earnings over the million-rand mark.
RASCALLION is the horse you want on your side in a tight tussle, and he again showed his tenacity and will to win when outduelling market mover (10’s into 9/2) MAGIC VERSE in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy over 1800m.
RASCALLION
LITIGATION and FUTURE SWING rounded out the placings in a blanket finish where the first five home were covered by a little over a length.
“Just imagine what he would have accomplished if he was sound his whole career,” mused trainer Vaughan Marshall, who has done an amazing job to constantly patch up and revive the valiant son of Vercingetorix.
Sean Veale gave the winner a perfectly judged vigorous ride and RASCALLION will no doubt shorten considerably in the World Sports Betting Cape MET ante-post market from long shot quotes of 40/1 – after all it’s a race he finished second in 2024 behind Double Superlative.
Gareth van Zyl’s stayer, KING PELLES romped in the Gr 3 Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup over 2500m. HOLDING THUMBS tracked the well-backed, pace-setting lightweight, DAIMYO, and tried to keep rolling but could not match the Duke of Marmalade gelding in the last 200m. The margin of victory was 1.75 lengths.
KING PELLES
The 20/1 winner, who was ridden by Athandiwe Mgudlwa, has really come into his own this summer in the Cape. Prior to an unexpectedly weak recent start he had been consistently in the money. He bounced back to form for a fourth score from 16 starts, and with his boundless stamina, there is the promise of more to come in tests of endurance.
