Captain America has been one of the most supported horses for Saturday’s big race at Kenilworth, the R1 million weight for age Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate over 1600m, shortening in from 7/1 to 11/2 with Betting World and he is at that same price with World Sports Betting, but his chances of beating his former stablemate Futura, who has remained steady as 2/1 favourite, don’t look bright on paper.

Captain America (Liesl King)

The big son of Captain Al will attempt to keep the fine run of the Brett Crawford yard in this prestigious race going. Crawford finished second with Jackson in both 2013 and 2014, behind only the mighty Variety Club, before winning it last year with Futura. The latter is likely still the apple of his eye as he took him from maiden through the ranks to a Queen’s Plate and J&B Met double. However, the superstar subsequently left his yard due to a well documented dispute between the owners.

Futura looks to be the horse to beat again as he looks to have had a faultless preparation for top trainer Justin Snaith, who guided the brilliant Dynasty entire to a fourth career Gr 1, the Champions Cup over 1800m at GReyville, after taking over the reins from Crawford.

Captain America beat Futura at level weights in the Gr2 Lanzerac Alta Mater Green Point Stakes over 1600m on the tighter Kenilworth Old Course last time out in November, but is unlikely to be allowed the same easy lead he had in that race. Futura was closing fast, losing by just half-a-length. Both horses will have benefitted from the run. Futura had previously beaten Captain America twice, in the 2014 Vodacom Durban July, when finishing third, and in the 2014 Green Point Stakes, when also third.

Captain America would love some rain and according to the forecast might be getting 3mm on all of today, tomorrow and Saturday. However, that would likely not be enough to swing it in his favour as the ground is still likely to be fast, which is just the way Futura loves it.

The Green Point did at least show that Captain America settled well in front, which allowed him to quicken superbly rounding the final turn. Therefore, it would be no surprise to see him leading him again from a wide draw of ten. However, in doing so he might have to be used up to get ahead of the likes of Noah From Goa and Heartland inside of him as the latter pair are unlikely to be hanging around.

However, if Captain America doesn’t go to the front he is not going to have it easy slotting in, especially considering his big frame.

Futura meanwhile has a plum draw of two and will likely have a plenty in the tank in the straight before unleashing his devastating turn of foot.

It all points to Futura having the edge in this particular clash, which some might believe to be a grudge match, but as Crawford and Snaith are both sporting in victory and defeat they are unlikely to be seeing it that way themselves.

By David Thiselton