South Africa’s champion miler Legal Eagle returned to a rousing welcome on Classic Day and made it an undefeated nine-from-nine over the distance with his third consecutive victory in the HF Oppenheimer Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes over the Turffontein standside 1600m.
Anton Marcus keeps Legal Eagle focussed as Craig Zackey tries hard on Nother Russia (Pic – JC Photos)
The all-conquering gelding appears to be maturing as well as the champion wines produced on the estate of his birth, and at the age of 6 is showing no signs of losing any of the edge that has taken him to eight Gr1 successes and two SA Horse Of The Year titles.
Returning from a ten week break following his 1,65 length defeat in fourth place in the 2000m Sun Met, he was declared 90% fit by SA Champion trainer Sean Tarry – and despite having to make all of his own running, was good enough to dispose of his seven opponents with a measure of authority.
Trainer Sean Tarry – another Gr1 success
With nobody willing to set the fractions, Anton Marcus took Legal Eagle up to lead Nother Russia at a modest gallop.
At the top of the straight, Marcus glanced across to assess Birthday Boy Zackey’s body language on Nother Russia, before setting sail for the winning post.
At the 300m, Nother Russia moved up dangterously, but the Eagle is unbeatable at the mile and the gelding dug deep to beat the Tiger Ridge mare by a quarter length in a time of 98,28 secs.
Unagi ran third a further 4 lengths back – and a word of congratulations to the Gary Alexander team for taking their chances with the son of Admire Main, who banked R100 000 for his efforts.
Anton Marcus – top class ride
Legal Eagle, who has won 13 races with 8 places from 23 starts for stakes of R11 523 375, was bought by Sean Tarry on behalf of former leading owner Markus Jooste for R425 000 at the 2013 BSA National Yearling Sale.
Bred by Avontuur, he is a son of Vodacom Durban July winner Greys Inn (Zabeel) and is out of the six-time winning Young Sensation (National Emblem)- who was also trained by Sean Tarry.
While new part owner Braam van Huyssteen was on track, Legal Eagle breeder’s Avontuur’s GM Pippa Mickleburgh was a notable absentee at the lead-inn.
“We have a busy sales month. Our yearlings load on Monday so there is really no time for travel. I have great staff but couldn’t risk being away. But I’m so proud of our boy,” she told the Sporting Post in a telephone interview.
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Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes (SAf-Gr1)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 7, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.38.28
1 – LEGAL EAGLE (SAF), 60.0, b g 6, Greys Inn (USA) – Young Sensation (SAF) by National Emblem (SAF). Owner Messrs William Henderson, F H McGrath & A J van Huyssteen; Breeder Avontuur Farm; trainer SG Tarry; jockey A Marcus
2 – Nother Russia (SAF), 57.5, ch m 5, Tiger Ridge (USA) – Mother Russia (SAF) by Windrush (USA)
3 – Unagi (SAF), 60.0, ch g 4, Admire Main (JPN) – Cariad (SAF) by Northern Guest (USA)
Margins: 0.25, 4.00, 3.80
