The big day is nearly here and we collected some last minute comments from all the yards with runners in the 2016 J&B Met.
Justin Snaith – Futura (1), Legislate (3), Krambambuli (13)
Futura
My horses are all doing fine and are in the best form of their lives. Whether they’re good enough for Legal Eagle, we’ll see on Saturday.
Brett Crawford – Captain America (2)
Captain is in very good form. It’s a tough race, but I’ve been very happy with his prep and from my side there’s no complaints.
Geoff Woodruff – Master Sabina (4)
Master Sabina (photo: JC Photos)
Master Sabina is doing well and he’s all good. I’m absolutely delighted with the way he looks. I really thinks he strips a much fitter horse than in Joburg. He’s glowing and if he’s good enough, he’s ready.
Sean Tarry – Legal Eagle (5) / Gold Onyx (7)
I’m pretty happy. My horses are where I want them and I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I’ve got to get through the next few hours, but there’s nothing I would change at the moment.
Mike Bass – Paterfamilias (6) / Helderberg Blue (9)
Mike Bass duo of Helderberg Blue and Paterfamilias
He won well last time out in the Premiers and he’s become a much improved horse. We have him spot on for this race. We would have really wanted him to have a better draw, so will need some luck to get into the face from draw 12. If things go his way, he could surprise them. From our pair in the Met, he is our stable elect.
Helderberg Blue ran third in this race last year, so he is certainly capable. Jockey Dillon said he feels he is at his best after his breeze up and if he can repeat this he could be in the money again, but he does take on stronger this year.
Dennis Drier – Punta Arenas (8)
Punta Arenas (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
I don’t think I’ve seen him this well. He looks amazing. His prep runs into the Met I’ve been very, very happy with. His last run (the Gr2 Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap) was a really good run. He carried 61.5kg and did everything I asked him to in that race. I’m hoping he can earn a cheque for Mike, James and Cheryl on Saturday.
Joey Ramsden – King Of Pain (10)
King Of Pain – Joey is part-owner
Joey Ramsden not only helped breed King Of Pain, but is also part-owner of the attractive grey and reports, “King Of Pain is fantastic. If he puts up anything like his last two runs, he is quite capable of giving people a fright.”
Weiho Marwing – Mac de Lago (12)
He’s travelled very well and is fit and well. I’m very happy with where he is at the moment. He’s got a good jock (Anthony Delpech) and I’m just hoping for the best.
Glen Kotzen – Light The Lights (14)
Light The Lights wins the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap
He’s been doing very well. In my opinion he’s better than his merit rating and if we raced on paper, I’d say he has no chance. He’s a horse that had loads of potential as a young horse, but we never gelded him. Since gelding him (after the 2015 Champions Cup), we’ve brought him right back to square 1. We took him back to sprint distances and taught him to settle again and he won well at his last start (the Gr2 Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap), so we’ve got him exactly where we want him to be for Saturday. It’s obviously tough, but if you’ve got a ticket, you’ve got a chance.
Alec Laird – Smart Call (15)
Smart Call (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Despite having everyone on tenterhooks with regards to the riding engagement, Alec Laird reported that his charge, Smart Call, is “in great shape and possibly fitter than last time. We are hoping she will come in the first four.”
