The Vasco/Khaya Stables day at the races is always well supported by indulgent fans having a good time, and the program was strengthened this year with five feature races.

Golden Ducat prevailed after a duel with Sachdev to win the G1 Cape Derby and extend the extraordinary record of his dam, Halfway to Heaven – her first three foals, Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and now Golden Ducat (by Philanthropist) have all become G1 winners!

Kasimir seemed poised to run a career best in the G2 Diadem Stakes and duly ran an exceptional figure of 114 to eke out a narrow decision over Chimichuri Run (s/s 113) and Russet Air (s/s 113.) The son of Captain Al won this race last year and is a high- class sprinter when fully cranked up.

Pretty Young Thing (s/s 98 +) received an inspired ride from Greg Cheyne, skipping clear of her opposition to easily win the G3 Prix du Cap. This daughter of Jackson overcame a wide draw to get up there, then make a big move in mid- stretch, quickly building an insurmountable lead over stablemates Front and Centre and Shamrock Wind. Thumbs up to Interbet sponsored trainer, Brett Crawford for saddling a rare 1-2-3 in a Graded race.

The enigmatic Crown Towers (s/s 104) applied similar stalk and pounce tactics to take out the listed Jet Master Stakes as a largely unconsidered 40/1 outsider. 28/1 shot Capoeira chased valiantly to get close, but Bernard Fayd Herbe had timed his mount’s burst with precision. Sovereign Spirit (s/s 100) made late progress to round off a big trifecta with Vikram up for fourth to complete a monster quartet dividend of 180K.

Both Cape Nursery’s were also part of the re-shuffled program. The classy and beautifully bred Var ex River Jetez filly, Delta Queen showed talent and determination to go practically all the way into driving rain to win the Fillies version, whilst another that is bred in the purple, the Captain Al ex Covenant colt, Erik the Red (s/s 95) completed his hat-trick in the boys G3 contest.

He ducked about late though and was hard pressed to ward of Joseph Barry (s/s 94) – sired by the same great but late/lamented stallion. Rascallion (s/s 91+) is one for the notebook. Understandably green on debut, he stayed on well when the whips started cracking, and this son of Vercingetorix looks a potentially smart youngster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Â