Met Gallops – We Are None The Wiser!

Legislate needs to show he is capable of bouncing back (Photo: Hamish Niven)

The sun has not yet broken through the ominous dark cloud hovering over original J&B Met favourite Legislate and the uncertainty surrounding Justin Snaith’s outstanding colt could open the way for trainer Brett Crawford to make it third-time lucky by saddling a winning favourite in the race.

The ghost of the brilliant Jackson’s failure to deliver at short odds in two tilts at Met glory will be haunting the Crawford camp as they enter the big race build-up week.

But with the sensational  L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Futura having turned a shaky December into a ‘great prep’ and carrying the Crawford  flag in the hands of the in-form Bernard Fayd’herbe, it is clear that the prospects of a Phillipi-based winner are looking very bright.

Futura – nice gallop and looks primed to fire in the Met

The official Met gallops and barrier draw held at Kenilworth racecourse on Thursday morning really did little to clear any uncertainty for punters, with original favourite Legislate looking like he meant business as he stretched clear of his unfancied stablemate Astro News to beat him in the gallop by over 15 lengths.

The fact that his companion Astro News’ saddle slipped would not have added any lustre to the exercise, but Legislate looked good and stretched out well.

But can he really bounce back from last in the the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate to first in the J&B Met?

While Legislate drew 4, Futura pulled 9 and that won’t be worrying the connections of a versatile galloper who showed his mettle by turning it on off a dawdle in the Queen’s Plate.

Futura, a smashing looker who has a majestic presence about him, galloped on his own and strode out well.

Trainer Brett Crawford said afterwards that his charge had ‘done everything right; and was in a ‘good place’.

Flashback – Basil Marcus rode Louis The King in his gallop

There was plenty of interest when Geoff Woodruff’s powerful visiting trio of Summer Cup winner Louis The King , recent London News Stakes winner Killua Castle and Tellina galloped together.

Multiple Met winning jockey Basil Marcus was aboard Louis The King and none of the three did anything wrong as their shiny coats showed them to be in the pink of health as the big race nears.

Met panel commentator  Andrew Fortune labelled Tellina his ‘dark horse’ and big-race jockey Gavin Lerena was vocal after his excellent L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate run where he was ill suited to conditions, yet stayed on well for fifth.

Sean Tarry’s Gold Onyx, labelled by the astute Fortune as a ‘proper top division horse’ galloped with companion Serissa at a comfortable pace.

Sean Tarry – don’t write off Gold Onyx

Trainer Sean Tarry said everything  had gone well and said that he was pleased as Gold Onyx’ Queen’s Pate third-placing has ‘told us we are on track.’

Tarry added: “ And for those people suggesting my horse is too old, be careful. I trained Alastor to win this race at the age of 6. And I have kept Grant Behr on him as he gets on well with him – and I’d rather have him with a positive approach than a big-name jock who thinks we are wasting our time.”

Trainer Mike Bass has an outstanding record in this race having won it 5 times in 14 years. His coupling of Paterfamilias and Helderberg Blue had no luck in the draw stakes, being allotted 13 and 15 respectively, and their gallop told us little.

The two worked together with a companion whom they never saw as his rider appeared more intent on getting back to the unsaddling area to grab a sticky bun before they all disappeared.

There was concern that both Bass horses were sweating, although it was a warm morning at the beautiful Southern Suburbs track.

Stan Elley – pleased with Punta Arenas

Stan Elley’s Punta Arenas drew 12 and tries again after his commendable third place last year off a slow pace. The son of Silvano worked with Big Cat  at three-quarter pace and strode out beautifully.

His trainer acknowledged that the top three would be tough to beat but that his charge ‘could not blow out a candle’ after the gallop and he would turn up fit and ready to pounce if the favourites fluffed their lines.

The final J&B Met field: