Our dual SA Horse Of The Year is rising 7.
They have said he can’t go on forever and the chinks would start appearing in his armour.
If that fighting talk was believable, then one wonders why only seven runners to take him on in the R1 million HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday?
Legal Eagle – it will take a special effort to beat him
Tab’s Vee Moodley must be pulling his hair out. Small fields impact on betting turnover. Even with a star attraction in the mix.
Despite the nice stake cheques on offer – consider it: burgle third and you bank R100 000 – they just can’t persuade and attract the visitors that may have the firepower to possibly be competitive to take on the big gun on home turf.
Sean Tarry’s Legal Eagle is South Africa’s champion miler. The 6yo son of Greys Inn boasts an unblemished record over the 1600m, winning eight out of eight races over the distance. Five of those were Gr1’s, while two were Gr2’s. In January he won the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate for the third consecutive year and on Saturday he bids for his third consecutive victory in this race.
Deo Juvente (red cap) beats Legal Eagle
Deo Juvente beat Legal Eagle and Nother Russia in a thrilling finish to the President’s Champions Challenge over 2000m last year but the son of Trippi has been plagued by health issues since. After changing ownership out of the Mayfair Speculators string, he ran 18 lengths off Milton in the Premier Trophy and 19 lengths behind Legal Eagle in the Queen’s Plate, where he was not persevered with. He has been rested 13 weeks since but would need a turnaround of note to launch any serious bid on the R625 000 first cheque here.
Nother Russia – will be fitter
Nother Russia is the first of the Mike de Kock fairer sex duo. On her return home from an unplaced run in the Sun Met, she was not given a hiding by regular pilot Craig Zackey and was comprehensively beaten at level weights by Cape visitor Silvan Star. The 2017 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes winner has excellent form at home and will strip a fitter horse after that grass gallop.
Dual Gr1 winner French Navy has not won in over two years and has lost form again after showing a flicker of his best late last year, He was hampered late in the race in the Colorado King on Saturday and subsequently ran last and 7,55 lengths back. He ran second in this race last year but appears to lack the edge of enthusiasm needed to win another Gr1 at this stage of the game.
Unagi looks the likely pacemaker in this group. He was not persevered with in the Listed Wolf Power and then faded late when 2,75 lengths behind Orchid Island in a conditions plate last time. He meets the De Kock galloper on 2,5kgs better terms but that should not be enough of a swing to make any material difference to his chances.
Orchid Island – fouund best form recently
The 2017 Gr1 SA Fillies Classic winner Orchid Island has won her last two starts at home in the blinkers since returning from an unsuccessful Cape campaign where she lined up in the Paddock Stakes. Anthony Delpech partners the Silvano filly, who flopped when fancied in the Sansui Summer Cup four months ago. She is in prime form and while seemingly better over slightly further, should not go down without a fight.
The Teofilo entire Brazuca won the Gr2 Colorado King Stakes in 2017 but has been going through the motions recently. He is very effective over this trip but is unlikely to be allowed to dictate matters in this field. That said, there is not a lot of depth in the line-up and he could find a top four finish if he gets lucky.
Romany Prince – may be outgunned
Muzi Yeni is in fine form and partners the Gr3 London News Stakes winner Romany Prince. The Ormond Ferraris trained 5yo is a game six-time winner. His last three runs have been quiet efforts and he would be more competitive on handicap conditions in a field of this nature.
Legal Eagle gets the vote to win his ninth mile and register his thirteenth victory at his 23rd career start. The two De Kock ladies look most likely to give him cheek if he fails to bring his A-game to the track. But he has been such a model of consistency, that looks very unlikely!
