The Mike Bass trained Paterfamilias firmed from 40-1 to 14-1 in the Hollywoodbets.net J&B Met ante-post betting after his smooth victory in the Gr2 Premier Trophy at Kenilworth last Saturday.
The post-race comments of winning jockey Grant Van Niekerk, who declared that he was excited to be pairing up with the injury-prone son of Trippi, would no doubt have given the value hunters the motivation to jump in and grab the price.
The cold fact is that, while it was a welcome return to form for Paterfamilias, was it really the signs of a horse capable of winning the Met?
Some opinion suggests that he really only won so easily, because of extremely poor runs and some poor luck in running from his opposition.
Beating the likes of an underdone Gold Onyx (40-1) and stablemate Helderberg Blue (50-1) at level weights certainly doesn’t bring him closer to the likes of Futura and Legislate.
Joey Ramsden’s King Of Pain (50-1) was the unlucky horse of the race.
And the stipes report tells a few hard-luck tales:
At about the 1400m Master’s Eye (R Khathi) clipped the heels of Paterfamilias (G van Niekerk).
King Of Pain (B Fayd’Herbe) was continually baulked for a clear run in the straight.
Approaching the 250m Master’s Eye (R Khathi) clipped the heels of Gold Onyx (NZ) (S Khumalo) and stumbled badly losing position. An Inquiry will be held into this incident.
Legal Eagle – decision after London News
Trainer Sean Tarry told the Sporting Post that he is likely to only run one of Legal Eagle (5-1) or French Navy (8-1).
It may be a fair strategy to consider a position on a non-Tarry runner at this stage, as other odds will shorten when either of these two is pulled out.
Tarry said that Legal Eagle looks the more likely of the duo to run, but that a decision would only be taken after the Gr3 London News Stakes at Turffontein on 9 January.
