Trainer Vaughan Marshall drew a blank at the last Western Cape meeting on 12 February but need only cast his mind back three more days for his stable’s last success when he, in fact, saddled three winners on an eight-race Kenilworth card.
And history could repeat itself in Cape Town on Monday as Marshall takes an eight-strong team littered with winning chances to the races.
It wouldn’t come a surprise were well-bred newcomer Goddex Aphaea to run a forward race in Race 1 and, as such, any market support for this two-year-old daughter of Vercingetorix should be respected.
What A Winter colt Winning Single should open his account in Race 2 if building on an encouraging debut second over 1100m when showing pace throughout. On that evidence, and with that experience under the belt, he should have little trouble racing over 1000m.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who rode a double for Marshall not so long ago, partnered Winning Single on debut and, unsurprisingly, retains the ride.
Oswald Noach does a lot of work at Marshall’s Milnerton base and has ridden Little Miss Pink in five of her six career outings. He was aboard the Elusive Fort filly last time when third over 1200m and resumes his partnership with Marshall’s charge in Race 3 over the same course and distance.
In a small six-horse line-up devoid of form and experience, Little Miss Pink should have the edge over her rivals.
Stablemate Cruizin California has taken a little longer than expected to shed her maiden tag. However, she could finally do so reverting to 1400m in Race 4, having returned to form with a fourth-place finish over 1600m when last seen. She is well drawn in gate No 3 and will again sport blinkers which she has worn in her last two starts.
Elsewhere on the card, it could also pay to follow the progress of two highly regarded sorts in Long White Cloud (Race 6) and Future Prince (Race 7) who look likely to do the business in competitive handicaps.
Clive Robinson
