Questioning storms home to an easy victory in the Gr 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes under Richard Fourie (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The two most fitting winners of the Gr 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday would have been Questioning or Captain West.
Questioning was out to become the first horse to defend his Matchem title since the Glen Puller-trained Sevillano did it 22 years ago, while Captain West is a son of former Matchem winner One World.
In the end it was Questioning who did it in impressive style to remain unbeaten at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in five starts and he gave Vaughan Marshall his sixth Matchem victory this century.
The AN Foster-bred Querari gelding started at 7/2 despite a tricky draw of seven out of ten. Last year he won from a handy position under JP van der Merwe, but he showed his versatility on Saturday, because Richard Fourie was content to ease him back to last place. He showed a fine turn of foot with about eight lengths to make up in the straight and stormed home to an easy 2,75 length victory from Cafe Culture, who ran on well from the box seat, and Outlaw King was third.
The effectiveness of the hold up tactic could see Questioning sticking to that sort of strategy and he will be an interesting runner if he takes part in the Gr 2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m.
“He hurt himself and we were forced to give him ten days off. That seems to have worked out well,” said Vaughan Marshall after Questioning’s big win.
Questioning is owned by Greg Bortz, Mukund Gujadhur, the Wernars Family and Gina Goldsmith
He is out of the twice winning Captain Al mare Wheredowego, who was also trained by Vaughan Marshall.
Questioning has won seven races in all in 20 starts and has had eight places for stakes earnings of R1 185 276.
