Futura (pictured), one of the few at yesterday’s J & B Met gallops asked to exert himself in anything like earnest, impressed when partnered by big race jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe.
Last year’s winner worked on his own at a good pace from halfway down the back straight and quickened up nicely in the last 300m.
Fayd’Herbe, bidding for his fourth Met win, said: “He had a workout and it was good one. I think he would have come on from his Queen’s Plate run and he will be ready for Saturday week.”
Craig du Plooy, who rides expected pacemaker Krambambuli, deputised for Piere Strydom (in Dubai to ride Harry’s Son yesterday evening) on Legislate and was mightily impressed with the Durban July winner.
He said: “That was an outstanding gallop and the best he has ever been for me. They have got the horse at his best at the right time.”
Anton Marcus was aboard Legal Eagle when the Queen’s Plate winner went with last year’s runner-up Gold Onyx (S’Manga Khumalo). At least they hacked down to the six furlong marker together. Legal Eagle came back on his own, extending over the last 300m, and Gold Onyx followed about a furlong behind.
Sean Tarry said: “It was just going through the motions but it was exactly what Legal Eagle wanted and he seems to be moving well. I think Gold Onyx could again run into a place. He over-raced in the Queen’s Plate.”
Marcus added: “I don’t think you can read much into these gallops but I was happy with Legal Eagle.”
Smart Call (Met gallops) – Liesl King
So too was Corne Orffer with Captain America. The Horse Chestnut winner did a solo spin at a workmanlike pace with his rider reporting: “That was a very good gallop and his wind is good.”
Most of the big names drew well, a notable exception being Master Sabina at 14, and the Sansui Summer Cup winner’s trainer Geoff Woodruff has had a double blow as Deo Juvente is unlikely to run after suffering a nasty cut on his left stifle.
Woodruff explained: “He went for a roll at Milnerton and buried in the sand was a piece of a broken glass bottle that cut into him.”
Master Sabina was ridden by Thomas van Rensburg in a spin over a mile. He wasn’t asked to do much – indeed he spent most of the time looking around at his new surroundings – despite quickening inside the final furlong. Compere Neil Andrews was moved to comment: “He did as much as I do when I go to the gym!”
Smart Call, the only filly in the race, caught the eye when partnered by Marcus and convincingly drew away from As You Like (Orffer) in the final furlong with an understandably pleased Alec Laird remarking: “She was impressive.”
By Michael Clower
Pictures: Liesl King
