Lion Rampart’s lack of size is evident as Richard Fourie drives him for home on Saturday but he does not lack pace. (Picture: Wayne Marks).
The Hollywood Syndicate-owned Vaughan Marshall-trained One World colt Lion Rampart is not as physically imposing as the Hollywood-owned Isivunguvungu, but has plenty of speed and is building up an impressive record and merit rating.
He won the Listed WSB Sophomore Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday despite carrying joint topweight of 60kg together with Roman Agent.
Could he make amends for Isivunguvungu’s terrible luck in last year’s Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship? Isivunguvungu was favourite, but had to be scratched at the start after cutting himself on the outside of the gate.
The sprinting division is not ultra strong at present and as a precocious sort a chance might be taken by putting Lion Rampart in the Cape Flying as a three-year-old.
The Hollywood Syndicate-owned Ziyasha is actually rated higher than Lion Rampart at present and might go as high as 119 after his good win on Saturday, so he could also be a Cape Flying consideration.
Lion Rampart is out of a three time-winning Var mare and has now won four out of nine starts, including two Listed races.
He is known for his fine gatespeed and natural early pace.
He has the ability to stretch the field early and keep on going.
The Cape Flying is on WSB Met day, 25 January, and a natural precursor to that to see whether he is up to it would be the Gr 2 Cape Merchants on December 22 over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Lion Rampart ran off a 111 merit rating on Saturday and will likely stay on that rating.
The highest rated runner in last year’s Cape Merchants was a 120 rated older horse and if there is a repeat of that scenario Lion Rampart would come in with bottom weight of 52kg and be 0,5kg under sufferance.
Of course he would have to win well to have a chance on paper in the weight for age Cape Flying, but it will be interesting to see if he goes that route.
