Draw a line through the run. That’s what champion trainer Sean Tarry said on Monday morning after Equus Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle turned in the most disappointing showing of his career in Saturday’s Gr1 R4-million Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein.
The six-year-old multi-millionaire was beaten eight lengths into eighth spot, his biggest losing margin since his debut run over 1160m back in October 2014 when he was inexperienced and obviously needed more ground.
Legal Eagle set the pace under replacement jockey S’Manga Khumalo, led the field into the straight and was as well in contention as ever racing through the 400m mark, but there was nothing to come from him this time; he faded out steadily in an uncharacteristically weak finish.
“Legal Eagle pulled up well, he is sound and happy and this is not a question of wear and tear or that he’s lost his zest for racing. The way the Champions Challenge was run simply didn’t suit him and was the reason for his disappointing performance.
Trainer Sean Tarry
“We were quite upbeat about giving Legal Eagle a chance, letting him come from off the pace. It didn’t work out that way. He was slow off by half a length, rushed up and then found himself in front, in full stride and setting a hot pace. Things just didn’t play out the way we wanted. Restraining him from that position was not possible; would have made things worse,” said Sean Tarry.
The SA Champion trainer said that Legal Eagle would be enjoying his customary long winter holiday on the farm and that he’d be prepared for the Cape summer season in the way he’s done it over the last several years, with a prep run in Gauteng in November leading to the big Cape features in January.
“We won’t be taking Legal Eagle to KwaZulu-Natal. If he’d run a smart race on Saturday that would’ve been a consideration but we’re not desperate to prove anything, we will stay with the pattern he is accustomed to. If he is to race in Durban it will have to be next year.”
–Tabnews / Sean Tarry Racing/ Turf Talk
