The Law! Legislate wins the Investec Cape Derby (Equine Edge)
Jockey Richard Fourie deserves much of the credit for Legislate’s terrific win in the R1 million Investec Gr1 Cape Derby on Met day. He bounced the son of Dynasty into a decisive lead at the 200m marker to give the favourite Captain America no chance.
Another feature win for Dynasty and a second big victory for the Justin Snaith yard with Legislate showing that his recent Guineas run was all wrong.
After Helderberg Blue had performed his usual circus antics at the start, the field broke smartly with replacement jockey Anton Marcus taking the Glen Kotzen trained Counts Rocket to the front and the pair were twelve lengths ahead turning into the home run.
Marcus looked to have pulled off a coup and with most of the field off the bit early into the straight there appeared to be some panic in the ranks.
Fourie was wide awake though and with Legislate going first and finding a clear passage, Glen Hatt found himself all dressed up and nowhere to go as Captain America bobbed and weaved.
By the time Captain America saw daylight, Legislate had flown the coop and it was too little too late for the favourite’s supporters.
Legislate had made up oodles of ground from second last and ran on strongly at 28 to 1 to beat Captain America by 1,25 lengths in a time of 124,43 secs.
The winner’s stablemate Arion was not disgraced in third.
Helderberg Blue somehow managed to produce a finish after all his antics and ran on for fourth and 4,75 lengths behind the winner.
Counts Rocket showed resilience after his frontrunning efforts and was under seven lengths behind in fifth.
The second favourite Power King was bumped right out of the race at the 400m marker by Captain America who was making his run from miles back.
Legislate, a R100 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, was bred by Cheveley Stud and is by Dynasty out of the four tme winning Restructure mare, Champers.
Legislate, who races in the international Newbury Racing silks, has now won 2 of his 8 starts with 4 places and took his stake earnings to a healthy R784 850.
Legislate had run an excellent second behind De Kock in the Selangor but looks even more effective over the 2000m.
Results Gr1 Cape Derby (SAf-Gr1) Kenilworth, South Africa, February 1, R1 million, 2000m, turf, good, 2.04.43 1 – LEGISLATE (SAF), 58.0, b c 4, Dynasty (SAF) – Champers (SAF) by Restructure . Owner Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D E Evans); breeder Cheveley Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie 2 – Captain America (SAF), 58.0, b c 4, Captain Al (SAF) – Requista (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA) 3 – Arion (SAF), 58.0, b c 4, Silvano (GER) – Alstroemaria (SAF) by Northern Guest (USA) Margins: 1¼, 1½, 2
