In the build up to Saturday’s Gr1 Sun Met to be run over the Kenilworth 2000m, plenty of the debate centres around the ability of the individual runners to see out a true run race and run to their top ability over the trip.
Kenilworth Racecourse
The last twice the favourite Legal Eagle has gone the 2000m, he has been beaten. That was by Deo Juvente in the Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge at Turffontein in May and last year’s Met, where he was beaten 1,50 lengths by Whisky Baron. But does that mean anything to us come Saturday, when the playing fields are levelled, courtesy of the weight-for-age conditions?
It is interesting to reflect on Legal Eagle’s two previous attempts to win the Met and to put the doubts about him staying 2000m in context.
In 2016, Smart Call beat him by 3½ lengths, with Captain America a length back in 3rd.
They didn’t compete at weight-for-age, though, and in terms of ratings Smart Call ran 114, Legal Eagle 113 and Captain America 112.
Whisky Baron wins inaugural Sun Met
In 2017, Whisky Baron beat Legal Eagle by 1½ lengths, with Captain America a neck back in third.
Again, the race wasn’t at weight-for-age, and on ratings Whisky Baron ran 113, Legal Eagle 116, Captain America 111.
Gold Standard in 4th ran 108, and Marinaresco in 5th recorded 110.
We thought you might like to see the previous ratings by distance category of the runners. Our Sporting Post ability ratings reflect the highest Ability Rating shown in five distance categories – from left to right: up to 1400m/1400-1600m/1700-1950m/2000-2350m/2400m and more
Note that in terms of ratings the fillies and mares have a 2.5kg (5 point) sex allowance, which must be added if the figures below are compared for the purpose of this race.
Remember? Legal Eagle wins the Gr1 SA Derby
Incidentally, the Sporting Post distance aptitude for Legal Eagle is 97/116/116/116/104 – so in terms of ratings he’s as good over 1400,1600 and 2000m based on what he has shown before!
The Sun Met runners – with SP Ability Ratings:
97/116/116/116/104 Legal Eagle
76/112/112/112/- Captain America
100/111/105/112/- Marinaresco
96/112/110/-/- Sail South
107/109/86/-/- Silicone Valley
31/98/100/103/100 Krambambuli
60/95/91/97/- Nebula
-/83/96/76/79 Elusive Silva
84/86/105/92/- Coral Fever
64/107/-/108/- Gold Standard
71/113/-/89/- Copper Force
76/102/98/-/- Last Winter
78/107/95/-/95 African Night Sky
32/93/92/100/- Horizon
64/103/94/103/- Nother Russia
89/101/99/101/96 Nightingale
80/99/99/89/- Safe Harbour
85/91/95/-/- Oh Susannah
