Anton Marcus drives Legal Eagle out to beat Deputy Jud (JC Photos)
Trainer Sean Tarry put another hand on the 2014/15 SA champion trainer title at Turffontein on Saturday with three superb feature wins. Surely one of the most impressive of the trio was the Avontuur bred Greys Inn gelding Legal Eagle, who emulated his sire by scoring a resounding victory in the R2 million Gr1 SA Derby.
Tarry always looked to have a very strong hand in this prestigious test of youthful stamina, with SA Classic winner French Navy and the Derby Trial victor Legal Eagle representing his powerful yard.
Legal Eagle had only come to prominence three weeks earlier when scoring an impressive win in the Listed Derby Trial but Saturday was a very different test – he came in at level weights with his opposition and was carded to jump from a 16 draw.
But with Anton Marcus aboard, he had his supporters and jumped at 5-1 with plenty of interest in Mike De Kock’s Cape Derby winner Ertijaal.
Johnny Geroudis wasted no time in taking Karaar out to set a good gallop ahead of Amsterdam, with Dance Kid, Al Couture and Diesel Jet further back.
Legal Eagle was cruising in relax mode near the rear.
Turning for home Deputy Jud and Al Couture challenged Karaar, with Legal Eagle still some ten lengths behind but starting to make progress.
Anthony Delpech made his move as Ertijaal moved up looking very strong with Deputy Jud challenging at the 400m.
The race was wide open with chances to a few of them at the 300m as Legal Eagle came up the outside. French Navy was also making good ground but had no luck at a crucial stage as he became squeezed between a tiring Ertijaal and Legal Eagle.
Deputy Jud continued to roll but had no answer to Legal Eagle who went on strongly to register a time of 154,59 secs and hold the Azzie runner to three lengths, with the luckless French Navy a solid third
The 2-1 favourite Ertijaal faded late and ran a modest seven length fourth.
The SA Classic runner-up Amsterdam, who changed ownership and stables earlier this week, ran a poor race to fade out and finish 38,50 lengths downfield.
The Avontuur bred Legal Eagle is a son of Greys Inn out of the six-time winning National Emblem mare Young Sensation, who was also trained by Sean Tarry.
He was purchased for R425 000 on the National Yearling Sale.
Tarry confirmed that Legal Eagle was not a Daily News candidate but could be a July prospect.
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Gr1 SA Derby (SAf-Gr1)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 25, R2 million, 2450m, turf, soft, 2.34.59
1 – LEGAL EAGLE (SAF), 58.0, b g 3, Greys Inn (USA) – Young Sensation (SAF) by National Emblem (SAF). Owner Mrs I Jooste & Mr M J Jooste; Breeder Avontuur Farm; trainer SG Tarry; jockey A Marcus
2 – Deputy Jud (SAF), 58.0, ch c 3, Judpot (USA) – Star Deputy (NZ) by Deputy Governor (USA)
3 – French Navy (SAF), 58.0, b g 3, Count Dubois (GB) – Redoubtable (SAF) by Elliodor (FR)
Margins: 3.00, 1.75, 2.25
