Dual SA Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle steps out at Kenilworth on Saturday where he defends his title in the R400 000 Gr2 Green Point Stakes, en route to the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Sun Met in January 2018.
Champion – SA Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle
The lightly raced Sean Tarry-trained 6yo had his customary sprint pipe-opener at home three weeks ago and he again acquitted himself well – giving Naafer 7,5kgs and getting to within 2,30 lengths of the De Kock 3yo over the 1160m. Naafer subsequently ran a cracking second in Sunday’s Gr2 Merchants behind The Thinker. Legal Eagle beat Marinaresco and Captain America in the Green Point last term – and meets the Captain on a kilo better terms for that 4,65 length beating this time around.
The 2015 Green Point Stakes winner Captain America will come on with the benefit of his last run when under a length behind Edict Of Nantes, but is likely to be chasing Legal Eagle’s tail again. This gutsy campaigner never runs a bad race.
His Champions Cup winning stablemate Sail South caught the eye on his season debut – he is 7yo already – when storming through to get within a half length of Edict Of Nantes. The son of Sail From Seattle continues to surprise friend and foe and even though beaten 8 lengths in this race last year, can be expected to chase place cheques.
Gold Standard – prefers the mile and had no luck last time (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The lightly raced Gold Standard is the dark horse in the seven horse field. The son of Trippi has run only once since going fourth in the Sun Met behind Whisky Baron. That was in the Matchem, where he was forced to ease late in the race – he is very highly regarded and his rematch with Edict Of Nantes who he beat in the Selangor Cup last term, makes for a fascinating race.
Australian-bred Our Mate Art disappointed at times as a 3yo but he is unbeaten in two starts as a 4yo and has been acknowledged by the handicapper on the official ratings. He faces a serious test at these weights but the mile will right up his street and his connections will get a good idea of where he is headed this season.
Edict Of Nantes is decent value for the Met (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Piere Strydom made it a winning first time aboard dual Gr1 winner Edict Of Nantes in his seasonal debut last time and the exciting combination take their next step up the ladder here. There is no question that the 4yo son of Count Dubois will enjoy the mile on the summer course and takes on the champion Legal Eagle for the first time.
Copper Force beat Milton last time but looks held by Our Mate Art on the Matchem Stakes result, where he was beaten 3,40 lengths. He is a still improving 4yo and could run into the place money.
It is difficult looking past Legal Eagle as the proven champion – but the 4yo’s Edict Of Nantes and Gold Standard will keep him honest.
