A King Is Born

Legislate(Richard Fourie) storms clear to win the Gr1 Daily News 2000

Justin Snaith’s brilliant Dynasty colt Legislate looks set to emulate the outstanding achievements in 2003 of his champion sire, after he scored a heartstopping victory in the R2 million Gr1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville on Saturday. The colt did things the hard way and even overcame a right hook by arch rival and Triple Crown champion Louis The King as he came for home.

The Daily News was the culmination of a brilliant Gr1 double for South Africa’s hottest trainer–jockey combination, and both look set to have a big say when the national titles are handed out in August. It was  Snaith’s 20th Gr1 in a career that just seems to be getting better with each season.

Dynasty won the prized quartet of the Cape Derby, the KRA Guineas, the Daily News 2000 and ultimately the July in 2003 and it is patently obvious that it is going to take a serious horse to stop Legislate on 5 July.

Saturday’s Daily News 2000 was all about the things that make horseracing great. Top horses, needle, interprovincial rivalry and the sometimes cut throat genius of  race riding at its very best.

It was a race that also answered many questions in many ways, and yet left a few doors open too.

With the support lobby evenly spread between the top two on the board, the race provided plenty of fun and games with Richard Fourie and Kevin Shea eventually finding themselves amongst the backmarkers.

At the top of the straight Fourie went towards the outside on Legislate as Shea angled Louis in for his run with plenty of traffic ahead.

Nancy Mitchell and Jono Snaith lead the victorious champion 3yo in

There will be much debate as to who came out the worst of the exchanges, but Louis had the better draw and had as much opportunity as Legislate.

There is no denying a supreme effort by Legislate, who hit the front at the 200m and looked to be going away to win his race.

Fourie knew he had Louis beaten but momentarily appeared to be unaware of the looming threat of Anton Marcus on a storming Rake’s Chestnut down the wide outside.

Louis’ stablemate came within a heartbeat of getting to Legislate, but the photo showed that Fourie had done enough.

Legislate powered  home to win by a short head in a time of 123,07 secs.

Rake’s Chestnut may be considered to be a desperately unlucky loser in second with Louis The King running into third and 1,30 lengths behind the winner.

A race review was called concerning Rake’s Chestnut become very tight for galloping room late in the race but after viewing the movies, all parties agreed that no further action was warranted.

Captain America was found wanting extra when it counted again and ran just behind Louis in fourth.

Winning jockey Richard Fourie rode a typically cool race and is bristling with confidence at the moment.

He naturally appeared  rather relieved and said  that things had not panned out ideally in the race.

“There was some unfair play at the back. But I was riding the better horse and it didn’t help that they were going miles too slow either. He is a brilliant horse though and his type are few and far between. Justin has done a great job to keep such a big horse as sound as he has,’ he said.

Justin Snaith says he enjoys being out of the limelight and the background of the stable

A smiling trainer Justin Snaith said that he sometimes ‘prefers not to watch’.

“Shew. That was close. People think I love the microphone but  I really would prefer to stay at home. I am a horseman at heart. If we were going to beat the best 3yo’s then  I’m glad we did it the hard way. When Louis The King took us out at the top of  the straight it was game on. We may have had an advantage as we are still fresh, while Louis has had a hard season . I don’t know where Richard is getting the confidence from. Well done to the team and especially to  John Freeman. He found a super horse here. We will see you in the July,” he laughed.

Legislate cost the astute Dennis Evans just R100 000 on the National Yearling Sale.

Bred by Cheveley Stud, he is yet another impressive racehorse by Dynasty. He is out of the four time winning Restructure mare, Champers. She only won up to 1200m.

Legislate, who races in the international Newbury Racing silks in a partnership that includes Jack Mitchell and Drakenstein Stud,  has now won 4 of his 10 starts with 4 places and took his stake earnings to a healthy R2 409 850.

The next July Log which is due out on Tuesday should make for some interesting reading.

The handicapper’s interpretation of the relative merits in an, at times, scrappy affair should be even more interesting.

*