Sun Met favourite Legal Eagle may be ridden from further back in Saturday’s Kenilworth spectacular in his bid to go one better than last year.

Twelve months ago, when he started at 16-10, he sat a close second and led 300m out only to have no answer when Smart Call came at him.

Indeed the filly drew right away in the closing stages.

When he won the Queen’s Plate earlier this month Legal Eagle was also ridden close-up, sitting third behind the pace-setting Midnite Zone and Captain America before going on over a furlong out.

However racing manager Derek Brugman said: “He has shown in his last two races that he could do with some cover and I would be happy for him to follow the better drawn horses.

“He is versatile and has a great turn of foot. I also think he is better over Saturday’s ten furlongs than he is over a mile.”

The running of Captain America – closer to Legal Eagle in last year’s Met than he was in the Queen’s Plate last season and this – might suggest otherwise but Anton Marcus, the man best-placed to know, disagrees.

“I will leave that to the analysts and statisticians,” he said before adding that he thinks the gelding is equally as good at 2 000m as he is over a mile. Second favourite Marinaresco, less than half a length behind Legal Eagle in the Green Point in December, had some of the gloss knocked off his reputation when he struggled from a wide draw in the Queen’s Plate and was beaten more than three lengths into fourth. Rider Grant van Niekerk shoulders some of the blame, saying: “I probably rode a bit of a bad race that day. But that’s the nature of the game – you ride some good races and some bad ones – and I make him a big runner on Saturday.”

The 25-year-old, who will be riding in his sixth Met, has yet to partner a horse in the race shorter than 25-1 but has twice finished third.

He warmed up with a four-timer on Saturday and points out that he should be added to the illustrious group who have ridden six winners on the same card.

He had eight rides on Kenilworth’s nine-race programme on July 12 2014 and won on six of them including the Winter Juvenile Stakes on Act Of War.

Frankie Dettori’s presence at the meeting is due to Investec boss Bernard Kantor.

“Dettori is an ambassador for Investec and Bernard rang us to ask if we had anything good that we would like him to ride, “ Brugman explained. “If we hadn’t, he would rather not ride.

“I hope he has a winner and maybe he can do it on The Conglomerate in the Met although I feel the horse is a handicapper and that it will be tough for him taking on the top horses.”

Dettori was originally declared for Table Bay in the Investec Cape Derby but, intriguingly, he has since been switched to Edict Of Nantes and Marcus moves from the Brett Crawford-trained runner to Table Bay. Both are Mayfair Speculators horses. Table Bay made the running when third in last month’s Cape Guineas but it seems likely that connections will revert to the original plan A and opt to get a lead from stable companion Newlands

Dettori has also been booked by Sean Tarry for two big race mounts – Vortex Star in the Kuda Sprint and French Legend in the CTS Sprint. His other rides are the Cape Fillies Guineas winner Just Sensual in the CTS Mile and the Dennis Drier-trained Seventh Plain in the Betting World Cape Flying Championship.

The Mike Robinson-trained Kapteinspandieseile, who cost punters dear when only fifth at 6-10 at Kenilworth last Wednesday, has been found to have a distended off-fore fetlock.

By Michael Clower

Miss Frankel’s eagerly-awaited and much-touted debut proved an expensive anti-climax at Kenilworth yesterday.

Seldom has a horse in this country attracted so much attention before even seeing a racecourse. Indeed the interest in this one – the first progeny of the unbeaten wonder horse to run in South Africa – captivated racing’s attention far and wide. “Frankel fever grips South Africa,” headlined Britain’s Racing Post.

The minute she appeared in the parade ring for the Welcome To Kenilworth Maiden photographers descended on her like a film star at the Oscars. The chestnut with two white stockings and unusual – if not unique – markings on her white face was totally unfazed.

Unfortunately she adopted the same casual approach for much of the race and Sean Veale was niggling at her from the word go. A furlong out he asked her in earnest and, to the horror of those who had made her 5-10 favourite, he found the response to be completely negative. She weakened rather than quickened and faded to finish seventh of the 12 runners.

The stipes, seemingly equally stunned, promptly ordered a veterinary examination but the racecourse vet pronounced nothing apparently wrong.

“She was shell-shocked – and I am even more shell-shocked than she was,” declared Dennis Drier who reckoned the filly’s lack of experience meant she didn’t know what was required of her.

“I didn’t expect that but at this stage I have no excuses,” he added. “However, on what she has shown me at home this was not her run. She will be back.”

Veale said that he was not unduly disappointed, adding: “I thought she would be more forward than that but she was green. She will improve – Mr Drier’s horses always come on from their first run.”

But maybe we all went for the wrong horse because fellow newcomer Magical Wonderland came away in the final 200m under and a hands and heels ride to score in most impressive fashion at 9-2.

“I rate her highly and I would have been very confident had it not been for all the hype about Miss Frankel,” said trainer Candice Bass-Robinson. Grant van Niekerk, who went on to win half the eight races, added: “This filly won very well and she really impressed me.”

Michael Clower

 

Turffontein Inside Saturday 21 January Tips and Race Previews by Warren Lenferna

Race 1
Preview: MADAM SECRETARY is knocking very hard at the door and looks ready to be rewarded with her maiden win – hard to beat. CHARTER JET finished close behind MS last time and again there should not be much between them. CATWALK comes from a small but consistent stable and showed good improvement from run one to run two. She has a strong place chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-9)

Race 2
Preview: KING OF MANI has run two seconds recently and looks ready to score. AUGUST DUKE went close to winning last time but has had many chances. He should win one of these days and today could well be his day. EMPRESS VALLEY made a smart debut and has tons of scope to improve – he can improve to go very close to winning. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-7)

Race 3
Preview: MAGIC SWORD showed good improvement from run one to run two and based on that has to be given a very strong winning chance here. DIAMOND DANCER and HOUSTON ROCKET have done okay so far and have to be included on the short list. (Warren Lenferna 12-9-10)

Race 4
Preview: SHEEMA has a wide draw to overcome but if doing so should have very strong each way claims – her last two runs have been good. SWEET CHESTNUT need only repeat her penultimate effort and she will be able to go very close once again – she deserves healthy respect. It would be silly to ignore PRADA PRINCESS’S chances for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 5-1-4)

Race 5
Preview: COMMODORE AL is getting on in age but he is still racing so consistently. It is however interesting to see Andrew Fortune go for the ride on ILITSHE. CA stays very well and should be right there at the finish. JET FEVER improved and ran a cracker last time and based on that is a must for the quartet. ILITSHE got up to win last time and could well follow up. (Warren Lenferna 2-8-3)

Race 6
Preview: Trainer Sean Tarry is bang in form and winning race after race country wide and it would be silly not to follow him. CAPE ORCHID has won two out of her last three and looks very hard to beat here. RED POMEGRANATE is way better than her last run and has to be respected – the same can be said about SAVE THE DAY. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-2)

Race 7
Preview: A difficult race and all of the following need to be included and given a chance: BRITISH ROYALE has won his last three and is clearly no slouch – can win again. CHAMPAGNE HAZE is a very good horse and should win but could prefer further. PURE BLONDE is never far off the action and the same can be expected from him today. (Warren Lenferna 7-3-8)

Race 8
Preview: NOTHER RUSSIA goes well for Craig Zackey and she has to be given a big winning chance. She should relish the distance and has the advantage of a good draw – hard to beat. PENNINGTON SANDS won well last time and is the exacta selection and ZANTE could improve to get a lot closer this afternoon. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-2)

Race 9
Preview: TURN BACK TIME is turning out to be a very useful staying type and gets the services once again of Andrew Fortune. Her form is very consistent and in this field certainly looks the right one and the horse they all have to beat. The battle should be on for second. Horses like: END GAME, RUSSIAN FRIEND and BARCELONA BABE look set to fight out the minor money. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-9)

Kenilworth Saturday 21 January Tips and Race Previews by David Thiselton

Race 1
Preview: MISS FRANKEL by the world’s highest ever Timeform rated horse Frankel out of the SA Equus champion sprinter Val De Ra makes her long awaited debut. REGAL RUBY made a good debut over 800m despite being slow away. MAGICAL WONDER is by Western Winter and is a half-sister to the decent sprinter Magico. LILY THERESA is by Var out of a Gr 3-placed Captain Al mare over 1400m. MOONLIGHT DANCER wasn’t disgraced on debut in a race which could prove to have good form. SEQUINED is by Oratorio out of a three-time winning Silvano sprinter. QUEEN MOIRA is by Rebel King out of an Act One mare who won one race over 1200m. (David Thiselton 8-11-7-6-9-12)

Race 2
Preview: BAFFERT has run two fair races over 1200m and should relish the step up in trip from a good draw. MINI LOUSHE broke through the stalls last time and then felt a miss, but if reproducing her best can win this weak race.   JACK BLACK ran on well over 1600m last time for an improved third and can earn again from a good draw. (David Thiselton 5-1-8)

Race 3
Preview: BUSHY PARK is well drawn and if repeating her penultimate run over course and distance looks the one to beat. SO ENCHANTING has run some fair races over this trip and could earn if overcoming a tricky draw. SEATTLE SILVA has run two good races and will relish the step up in trip so should be involved in the finish despite a wide draw and returning from a three month layoff. BRIDAL PARTY’s full-sister is the five-time winner Little Chapel and she comes from a yard whose runners improve significantly with a run so she could be a surprise earner from pole position over a step up in trip she will relish. NANNA’S ROCK has shown some ability before and can earn from what should be a suitable trip. SISTER SOOZIE is by Silvano out of a five time-winning Lizard Island mare from 1600-2400m. (David Thiselton 3-2-11-10-5-12)

Race 4
Preview: I LIVED is by Western Winter and is a half-brother to the top class Gr 1-winner and now sire Vercingetorix. SCORPION QUEEN made a fair debut over this trip and the form has worked out well so she should do well, especially considering Greg Cheyne has stayed aboard. LIGHT CHASER is a hard knocking sort who has done well over this trip before, so she should be a contender from a good draw. OAKLEY COURT was beaten 0,75 lengths by Riverboat Queen last time over this trip when leading and can still improve. DANCE AT DAWN is also a hard knocking sort and the jockey reported something amiss when she was beaten 2,45 lengths by Scorpion Queen in her penultimate start. RIVERBOAT QUEEN ran second in a weak 1200m race on debut and with expected improvement can earn. (David Thiselton 5-9-1-2-4-7)

Race 5
Preview: THE SECRET IS OUT is a Gr 1 winner over this trip so looks reasonably merit rated on 99. MIRANDA FROST has fine form over 1000m and 1200m and ran quite well over 1400m last time so should be cherry ripe to deliver here and could be a big threat. ANNELINE is a progressive sort who enjoys the course and distance and she has a chance for an in form combination with a light weight. (David Thiselton 1-3-7)

Race 6
Preview: TRIP TO INDIA has some eye catching form over 1200m and now looks to have fallen to a winnable merit rating. PINT POT has run well in both the starts he has had over this trip and Grant van Niekerk remains aboard. LOVE TO BOOGIE won well after a slow start on debut and she could improve further, although her merit rating of 82 looks a touch harsh based on the quality of field she beat. (David Thiselton 3-5-1)

Race 7
Preview: PROFESSOR BRIAN has dropped to an attractive merit rating and has a good form chance here. WINTER TRADE has been in fine form and should be involved again. KAMPALA KAMPARI won a good race on debut and the form has worked out well so he has a chance off a 79 merit rating. ARCTIC BLAST ran well for this 4kg claimer last time over this trip and off a two point higher mark can do well again. THE GREAT VICTORY can’t be ignored in this competitive event. WHITELIGHT WARRIOR has improved with blinkers and could earn. WESTERN STORM should finish just about together with Arctic Blast on formlines, but he might be better over 1000m. (David Thiselton 8-1-2-5-7-6)

Race 8
Preview: HERNANDO’S PROMISE has done well from 1400-2000m and from a good draw here looks the one to beat on formlines. ARABIAN DYNASTY has gone close in three runs over this trip and should be improving being by Dynasty, although he now has a tough draw. MANGROVE has shown promise and is likely improving being by Ideal World so he is interesting with Richard Fourie up, having stayed on well over the shorter 1400m trip in his penultimate, a race where the form has worked out well. GOLD COAST CAPTAIN should finish on top of Arabian Dynasty on form although he has yet another wide draw to contend with. PHOENIX RISING has some good 1600m form and could earn from pole position. (David Thiselton 5-4-7-1-8)

Miss Frankel will be the focus of all attention when she makes her debut in tomorrow’s Welcome To Kenilworth Maiden Juvenile Plate.

Sean Veale’s mount is not just the first horse sired by the undefeated wonder horse to grace the South African turf but she is a daughter of champion sprinter Val De Ra who won both the Computaform Sprint and SA Fillies Sprint in 2011 as well as the following year’s Cape Flying Championship.

Miss Frankel also represents a huge investment by Michael Taberer in his bid to keep the Avontuur Stud on the same exalted plane to which his late father took it. Not only did he buy out his brother, young Taberer promptly elected to send the stud’s best mare halfway round the world to mate her with some of the best stallions money can buy. The mating with Oasis Dream has yet to produce a worthwhile dividend but by all accounts the Frankel filly is something special.

Rival trainers in tomorrow’s race talk about the filly being an aimer, meaning that all Veale has to do is point her in the right direction and it will be race over.

Dennis Drier, who also trained Val De Ra, is a conservative man not given to rave about his horses before they reach Grade 1 standard but his delight in this one has been scarcely concealed and he says: “She may just need it but I think she has done enough to get away with it – she has galloped on the course – and she is a lovely filly.”

In Britain last year one Frankel after the next won first time out as regularly as night follows day. But in Cape Town it’s a lot more difficult to get horses ready to win on debut because the training facilities (no hills or slopes for a start) are not so conducive. Indeed many trainers prefer to let the first run bring them on.

“Casual Diamond has only been on the grass once – we don’t have gallops so it’s hard to tell,” says Justin Snaith echoing this. “But mine is fast.”

His Var filly is not the only one well bred enough to shake up the favourite. Lily Theresa, who cost R1.2 million, is also by Var and is out of a half-sister to the Golden Horse Casino winner Contador. Magical Wonderland is a R450 000 What A Winter half-sister to Computaform Sprint runner-up Magico and comes from a stable whose two-year-olds have been running well.

The best form of the four that have run was shown by Regal Ruby. “My other runner came across her at the start and knocked her back last,” says Greg Ennion. “To then finish fourth to some decent colts was pretty good and she has come on a lot.”

By Michael Clower