“We are ready,” declares Justin Snaith as his two market leaders spearhead his 36-strong armada for tomorrow’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate meeting at Kenilworth.

“Futura has never been better for a race at a mile and certainly, if they don’t beat him here, they have no chance of doing so over 2 000m [in the J & B Met],” says the former champion. “But if Legislate rocks up they had all better watch out.”

Snaith insists that he cannot split the pair and, up to yesterday morning at any rate, nor can the market. There has been money for Legislate, enough to bring him down to 2-1 joint favouritism with his stable companion. Seemingly punters are remembering how he came back from similar lengthy lay-offs to smash the mile course record in last season’s Green Point and win the Gold Challenge.

Heartland’s role could be crucial – a poor gallop would throw the race wide open and the two favourites to the wolves. “We want a good pace but we will see what happens,” says Snaith. “I am not going to sacrifice him if he has a chance of getting a place.”

This is a good race for favourites – they have won seven of the last ten – and one of the big two should win tomorrow. Legislate is the better at a mile but Futura has a significant fitness advantage.

Captain America, nibbled at from 7-1 to 11-2, beat Futura in the Green Point with an enterprising ride but he is adaptable. “We will play it by ear because don’t have to be stereotyped on him,” says Brett Crawford. “But what I don’t want is a canter and then a sprint.”

Anton Marcus’s decision to change horses in mid-stream does not exactly inspire confidence in Act Of War who, don’t forget, made up a prodigious amount of ground in the short straight when coming from too far back in the Green Point.

He has drifted from 13-2 to 8-1 but the man who Joey Ramsden has called on to take over is perhaps the most naturally gifted of all the jockeys now riding and he is performing at the top of his game.

Legal Eagle (9-1) is the highest-rated horse in the race – although it’s hard to see how he is better than Futura and in any case his rating was earned over longer trips than this.

“Anton discussed it with me and it wasn’t an easy choice to make,” says Derek Brugman, “But the main reason is that this is a prep for the Met for Legal Eagle and Anton wants to take him round Kenilworth. It will be the horse’s first time round a left-handed turn.

“We feel that the pace could be strong and that would suit Legal Eagle who went very well in his last gallop.”

Noah From Goa is the sixth three-year-old to run in six years. Gimmethegreenlight won, Variety Club was second and Ebony Flyer third. The other two were unplaced. Given that the Guineas winner is trained by Mike de Kock, 10-1 is probably a bit generous – but only a bit.

Same Jurisdiction is a justifiable 5-2 favourite for the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes but it’s worth pointing out that this is not a good race for favourites –ten of the last 13 were beaten and, had it not been for Beach Beauty, that stat would read 11 out of 13.

Duncan Howells is concerned about the wide draw despite having the master in the irons. “A bad draw is a bad draw and it’s not in my favour,” he insists. “This is going to be a real test of her stamina but she is a classy filly and I couldn’t have asked for a better preparation.”

She could have her work cut out to confirm Garden Province placings with the on-song 3-1 shot Smart Call while 8-1 is a big price about last year’s winner Inara. “She didn’t thrive in Durban so you can’t go on her running there,” advises Candice Robinson.

By Michael Clower