Can the former champion sire Al Mufti help Vaughan Marshall win a third Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby?
Marshall’s first Cape Derby winner Top Seller, who won it in 2011, was by Al Mufti himself.
The Milnerton-based stalwart trainer won it for a second time last year with Linebacker, who was by the champion sprinter Captain Of All, who in turn was by Al Mufti’s legendary son Captain Al.
On Saturday Marshall runs Senso Unico (Twice Over), who is out of a Captain Al twice-winning sprinter called Wheredowego.
He is a homebred who runs in the familiar scarlet and gold colours of Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster, whom Marshall won the Cape Guineas for in 2017 with Tap O’ Noth (Captain Al).
The speed in the pedigree should not be a worry for the connections considering Linebacker won so convincingly last year, and Twice Over being a stamina influence helps too.
John Koster has commented on how Linebacker, whom he bred, looks more like his English ancestors than the stocky Captain Of All and similarly Senso Unico is a rangy type with a huge stride.
He looks every inch a middle distance to staying type and nothing went right for him last time out in the Grade 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m.
He had to be used early to overcome a wide draw and was then caught without cover in a handy position.
He kicked very well at the top of the straight and considering his earlier exertions did well to stay on for a 1,80 length fourth.
He now has a good draw of four and if any horse is going to cause an upset by beating the top class Double Superlative, he could be the one.
Picture: Archives.
