It’s the first Met in history run at pure weight-for-age and with newsmaking L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Legal Eagle out to bury the memory of his two consecutive runner-up cheques, there is plenty to play for in a class line-up.
The shock late withdrawal on Thursday morning of the Mike de Kock pair of Cascapedia and Heavenly Blue, for what is believed to be travel sickness related issues, has cast a temporary cloud over the race.
But the betting will be adjusted and the show goes on, with the balance of the 18 runners looking set to provide a dazzling spectacle.
Dual SA Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle has been beaten a collective 5 lengths by Smart Call and Whisky Baron in the past two Mets and gets his chance to make good at the revised weight conditions – which naturally play into his favour. A champion miler and past SA Derby winner, his wide draw may force Anton Marcus to ride him patiently from midfield. He is a horse with a terrific kick though and is thought to be at his physical peak by some observers.
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