‘Captain’ to have more in reserve

The Vaughan Marshall-trained entry needed his comeback run badly when running poorly behind Terminator last month. This was after a successful KwaZulu-Natal campaign where he won twice from three starts, but a true reflection of his ability emerged in defeat.

Racing on the wrong side of the track he managed to place third behind outstanding juveniles Captain of All and Willow Magic in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville. He is entered in the Cape Classic in two weeks’ time so ought to be closing in on optimal fitness as the Marshall yard clicks into top gear.

If he stubs his toe then any number of rivals can take advantage. Man To Man achieved a career-best when fitted with blinkers in a weaker MR 82 race at Clairwood in July and now makes his seasonal return.

Stablemate Unencumbered produced a fast finish over this course and distance last time but his overall record suggests that he is better over slightly further, though he should be accorded plenty of respect. Premium Wood is a consistent gelding who has shown his competitiveness right up to MR 99 class levels – but is another with questionable fitness, making his seasonal return after a respite of 84 days.

A fascinating runner is Paterfamilias. Seemingly reluctant to get into the fray despite being stretched out in distance, he has developed a habit of closing late without threatening. Yet his only two wins to date have both been recorded at this peculiar venue. A repeat of his flying finish in last year’s Selangor Cup over 1600m would make him a plausible winner, even with top weight.