Everything you need to know about 2023 WSB Cape Town Met runner, LINEBACKER. There was a time not so long ago when this Vaughan Marshall-trained gelding went into Grade 1 races as favourite irrespective of the field. Ignore him at your peril.
16) LINEBACKER 40/1
Punters don’t have to think too far back to remember a time when LINEBACKER went into the country’s biggest races as favourite, irrespective of the field. A hat-trick of wins in the Cape Derby, the WSB Guineas and the Daily News 2000 was followed up a second-place run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and a third in the 2022 Met.
Since then, the son of Captain Of All has struggled slightly for consistency. Still, he has ability in spades and there will be plenty of punters around the country licking their lips at the prospect of backing the five-year-old at 40/1.
Jockey: Corne Orffer
Trainer: Vaughn Marshall
Owner: Mesdames C L Gabler & Jane Truter & Mr K P Truter
Breeder: Klawervlei Stud
Sire: Captian Of All
Dam: Thin Red Line (AUS) by Redoute’s Choice (AUS)
Age: 5
Colour: Bay
Sex: Gelding
Merit Rating: 122
Weight: 60
Draw: 16
Career Record: 18 runs (4 wins, 9 places)
Stakes Won: R2 385 250
Runs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth: 11 (2 wins, 6 places)
Runs at 2000m Distance: 3 (2 wins, 1 place)
Notable Runs:
3rd in the 2022 WSB Cape Town Met (Gr 1) 2000m
3rd in the 2021 WSB Club Prive Green Point Stakes (Gr 2) 1600m
2nd in the 2021 Hollywoodbets Durban July (Gr 1) 2200m
1st in the 2021 Daily News 2000 (Gr 1) 2000m
1st in the 2021 WSB Guineas (Gr 2) 1600m
1st in the 2021 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby (Gr 1) 2000m
2nd in the 2020 Cape Guineas (Gr 1) 1600m
2nd in the 2020 Cape Classic (Gr 3) 1400m
Trainer Comments: Coming soon.
Winning Form Comments:3rd run after rest. Blinkers ON. Best MR:126. Finished 3rd in this race last year. Don’t ignore.
2023 WSB Cape Town Met
R2 000 000 – 2000m – Grade 1
Saturday 28 January 2023 – 17:10
| No/Draw | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Make It Snappy | 7/2 | K de Melo | B Crawford |
| 4 | Jet Dark | 4/1 | R Fourie | J Snaith |
| 6 | Kommetdieding | 11/2 | G Lerena | H Crawford/M Rix |
| 14 | Cousin Casey | 6/1 | G van Niekerk | G Kotzen |
| 5 | Sparkling Water | 6/1 | S Khumalo | M de Kock |
| 7 | Universal | 16/1 | JP v'd Merwe | A Marcus |
| 12 | Al Muthana | 16/1 | P Strydom | R Maingard |
| 17 | Rascallion | 20/1 | S Veale | V Marshall |
| 1 | Golden Ducat | 25/1 | C Soumillon | E Sands |
| 3 | Marina | 33/1 | A Domeyer | C Bass-Robinson |
| 8 | Do It Again | 33/1 | B Fayd'Herbe | J Snaith |
| 13 | Warrior | 40/1 | R Munger | J Snaith |
| 10 | Zapatillas | 40/1 | L Mxothwa | B Crawford |
| 9 | Nexus | 40/1 | M Yeni | J Snaith |
| 16 | Linebacker | 40/1 | C Orffer | V Marshall |
| 19 | Pomp And Power | 50/1 | K Matsunyane | J Snaith |
| 11 | Waterberry Lane | 75/1 | R Danielson | R Maingard |
| 15 | Rain In Holland | 75/1 | C Habib | S Tarry |
| 18 | Gem King | 100/1 | G Wright | P Steyn |
