Mississippi Burning scored a sensational win in the Grade 1 WSB Fillies Guineas at Durbanville to complete a swift big race double for Adam Marcus and Craig Zackey.

The Captain Al filly came into this off two impressive sprint wins, but had never been beyond 1200m before, and flopped on her only previous run around a turn at Durbanville, hence a starting price of 22-1.

Pretty Young Thing came across from the worst draw to lead, followed by Third Runway, and Castellano.

Favourite Kelpie raced much further from the speed than she has been, and never really got into it, finally ending up a disappointing sixth.

Third Runway is as game as they come, and kept plugging away up the straight.

But after racing on the rail five or six lenghts back, Mississippi Burning unleashed a devastating turn of foot, and it was clear over 100m from home that there could only be one winner.

She waltzed on by to a three length win, with Zackey able to pose for the cameras as they crossed the line.

“She won really well. I was concerned about the mile, but rode her like she would stay. She’s one of the smallest fillies in Cape Town” said an elated Zackey.

“It’s a dream come true” said Marcus, who was celebrating his maiden Grade 1 winner.

Just over half an hour earlier Vardy underlined that he is now a part of the big league with an impressive off the pace win in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes.

One World raced handy, and sneaked through along the rail to lead 400m out once pacemaker La Favourari had cried enough.

Rainbow Bridge came to challenge, but Vardy was visibly travelling best of all after turning for home last, and swept past in the final furlong to score by a widening length.

Not for the first time he shifted in in the closing stages, leading to Rainbow Bridge being cramped. He had to settle for third behind One World.

“He’s special. I’m fortunate to have found him” said Craig Zackey.

“He’s improved physically and mentally. He was only 75-80% today” concluded Adam Marcus in words that could prove ominous for his future L’Ormarins Queens Plate and Sun Met rivals.

Horse-of-the-year Do It Again never looked comfortable in the running, and could only manage sixth beaten over five lengths.

And to complete a dream day for Cape Town’s younger Trainers, Marcus’ girlfriend Lucinda Woodruff took the final feature of the day when Dharma won the Grade 3 WSB Cape Summer Stayers Handicap.

Tabnews