The five-year-old Sean Tarry-trained gelding Legal Eagle joined the greats at Kenilworth on Saturday by becoming the first since Pocket Power to win back-to-back L’Ormarins Queen’s Plates (LQP).

He is now unbeaten in five starts over a mile, which includes his maiden, three Gr 1 weight-for-age miles and a Gr 2 weight-for-age mile. This is a remarkable feat for a horse who first achieved prominence when romping home to a three-length victory in the Gr 1 SA Derby over 2450m in just his fifth career start.

Pundits who felt he was lucky to be named Equus Horse Of The Year last season, above his J&B Met conqueror Smart Call, will have to now put up their hands and admit he fully deserved the accolade, as the mile has now been confirmed to be his best trip.

With Smart Call now overseas, he will be hard to oppose in the Sun Met.

Legal Eagle’s greatness as a miler can be seen in the way he controls his races from the off. There can be some comparisons between him and the 2013 Queen’s Plate winner Variety Club, a twice Equus Horse Of The Year, who had unbelievable gatespeed and simply controlled the race from then onward.

Variety Club and Legal Eagle were both ridden by the masterful Anton Marcus.

On Saturday Legal jumped as well as usual and there was never a moment before the business end in which he was not beautifully relaxed. The writing was on the wall for his chief rival, Marinaresco, before they had reached the first turn as he was in the box seat and the two ahead of him Midnite Zone and Captain America were going to provide protection from the stiff headwind in the straight.

Marcus was able to sit in Captain America’s slipstream until the 300m mark. Legal Eagle, like Variety Club, then found the gears necessary to take him clear.

He won by 2,25 lengths from the gallant Captain America, a Brett Crawford-trained six-year-old gelding. This was the exact same margin of victory of Variety Club’s win over the Crawford-trained Jackson in 2013.

The Crawford yard also clinched third with another six-year-old gelding, Sail South. The latter has always struck as classy, but his headstrong antics have proved costly throughout his career. Brilliant jockey Richard Fourie had the strength to rein Sail South back into an unfamiliar last place on Saturday. Even then he still over raced a bit, so it was a fine performance to run on strongly, pass Marinaresco, and finish just three lengths behind the winner.

However, Marinaresco, 0,3 lengths further back, was disappointing in fourth.

The six-year-old Jay Peg gelding Silicone Valley proved his versatility by finishing a 4,55 length fifth in just his second attempt at a mile, having finished a half-a-length second in the Gr 2 WSB Cape Merchants over 1200m at the beginning of December.

Legal Eagle will reportedly be leaving the country at the end of the Cape Summer Of Champions season together with the like of Marinaresco, Rabada and Silver Mountain.

Derek Brugman, racing manager to Legal Eagle’s owner Markus Jooste, has done a fine job together with Tarry in managing the horse’s career. Legal Eagle has had his targets carefully picked and his 15 career starts have yielded nine victories. He still looks to have plenty in the tank for overseas.

The three horses who won the Queen’s Plate between Pocket Power’s and Legal Eagle’s victories were the only entires to have won the race since the late great Jet Master’s back-to-back wins in 1999 and 2000. Those three were Gimmethegreenlight, who is already proving himself to be a stallion with a future, Variety Club, who was sadly found to be infertile, and Futura, who had a book of at least 100 mares in his first season at Drakenstein Stud.

The gelding dominance might seem strange for a race which is the most prestigious weight-for-age mile in the country, but is likely due to it being a very hard race for three-year-olds to win. Gimmethegreenlight was in fact the first three-year-old to win it for 39 years.

Gaynor Rupert of the sponsors L’Ormarins can be thanked for turning the Queen’s Plate into the top notch racing event it is today. She has a keen appreciation of the history of the sport of kings and has always tried to bring an English feel to the Queen’s Plate. Racing is an integral part of the British culture and over there the horse as an athlete, coupled with socialising, are central to most meetings.

This year’s effort in making the Queen’s Plate into a two day festival was another fine innovation. The Friday garden party looks set to become an integral part of the event’s tradition. The bond between racing purists and the Queen’s Plate will likely become stronger and stronger in a climate where turnover is paramount.

By David Thiselton

The phenomenal Cheveley Stud mare Mystic Spring will be odds-on to at last to be named Equus Champion Broodmare after her daughter Bela-Bela clinched the second Gr 1 of her career on Saturday by winning the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth.

Trainer Justin Snaith had five winners at last year’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate meeting, but lamented his lack of a Gr 1 winner, and this year it was the opposite as his big string yielded only a single victory, but undoubtedly the one he most wanted.

The brilliant grey by Dynasty provided a second Gr 1 win on the day for Anton Marcus, who rode four winners in all.

Marcus’s flying, come-from-behind victory in the ninth race on Supercilious was described afterwards by trainer Joey Ramsden as the best ride he had ever produced on one of his charges.

Bela-Bela was also given a faultless ride by Marcus. From a good draw of six he soon had her one wide of the rail with cover. From there she was always going to be getting a run in the straight, which was not a given for rails-hugging horses as the false rail on the day was very narrow.

Marcus was not concerned about Bela-Bela being shuffled back in the running as he was sitting behind Silver Mountain, whom he knew would be going forward for most of the straight at least. In the stiff headwind he was patient for a while in the straight behind Silver Mountain. There can be little coincidence that he spun her out for her run just before a gap opened for the crack three-year-old Safe Harbour towards the inside. This gave Bela-Bela almost 400m to first build up into her powerful stride and then wear the others down with her resolute finish.

Marcus had timed it to perfection as she was certainly not flying at the line, but her resolve enabled her to get up in the last couple of strides to win by 0,4 lengths from Safe Harbour, with Silver Mountain a length further back.

The hard fought victory, which saw 3,85 lengths covering the first eight past the post, will have critics questioning where Bela-Bela stands in history. She certainly has something still to do to be considered as good as the last two winners of the race, Beach Beauty and Smart Call.

However, her dam Mystic Spring has nothing left to do to prove herself a great broodmare.

Bela-Bela was the Equus champion three-year-old filly last season, while Mystic Spring’s ill-fated son Rabiya, a twice Gr 1 winner, was the Equus champion three-year-old male in 2005. Mystic Spring has also produced Gr 2 winner Secret Of Victoria, who has produced two Gr 1-winning fillies, one of them a champion. On top of that Mystic Spring has produced three other stakes winners, Spring Lilac, Rafiya and Touch The Sky. Spring Lilac has already produced a stakes winner.

Bela-Bela was bred by Cheveley Stud and owners Varsfontein Stud have a valuable asset in their hands.

By David Thiselton

Legal Eagle is now only 6-4 for the Sun Met after the impressive way he powered clear to win his second successive L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The leading bookmakers yesterday reassessed their prices for the January 28 highlight and Betting World, in addition to shortening last year’s second from 22-10, clipped Bela-Bela from 15-2 to 6-1. But the big mover was Whisky Baron from 17-2 to 4-1 third favourite.

Marinaresco, previously 18-10 favourite, is now out to 7-2 and was a big disappointment on Saturday. He started second favourite at 2-1 and it all went pear-shaped in the first furlong. Grant van Niekerk repeatedly tried to slot in from his wide draw only to find his path continuously blocked. He turned for home with only Sail South behind him and the last remaining hopes of the jockey, and all those who put their money on him, were wiped out when the horse took two furlongs to get going.

“Hopefully we can redeem ourselves in the Met,” said a disappointed Candice Bass-Robinson. “But I don’t know that we could have beaten the winner here even with a decent draw.”

Second-placed Captain America (unchanged on 25-1) was only a length behind Legal Eagle when third in last year’s Met but stable companion Sail South, who finished faster than anything – the winner included, won’t be supplemented. “There is no point in kidding ourselves – he doesn’t get further than a mile,” said Brett Crawford. “There is nothing else for him in Cape Town so he will probably go to Durban again.”

Abashiri (now 40-1 from 25-1) finished stone last but there were excuses for the Triple Crown winner as he was returned not striding out. Piere Strydom had concerns about The Conglomerate (seventh and unchanged on 14-1)) down at the start but the vet could find nothing wrong and so the horse was allowed to run.

It was a sixth Queen’s Plate for Anton Marcus whose four-timer included a last gasp Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes on Bela-Bela. Tongue firmly in cheek, he said he was hoping to convince the Snaiths to go for the Klawervlei Majorca rather than the Met!

Justin Snaith, much more seriously, said: “I thought it was a bit of a flat run. There is more to come from her – she had only had one previous run this season – and so I still have my work cut out.”

Marcus specifically mentioned Whisky Baron as a threat in the Met and the four-year-old, named after Wayne Kieswetter, won for the fourth consecutive time since being gelded when taking the Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap in a time three seconds faster than the Cartier Politician Stakes. Believe it or not, Greg Cheyne’s mount came back with a cut in his chest.

“He is much improved and he has been flawless since being gelded,” said Crawford. “We picked this route – easier than running in the Queen’s Plate – to prove he was capable of taking his place in the Met.”

It’s My Turn, less than half a length behind Milton who was runner-up for the second year running, has been cut from 16-1 to 12-1 and might well have finished even closer had he not lost a front shoe, probably quite early on when he had to be eased off the heels of the horse in front.

Safe Harbour, just touched off by Marcus in the Paddock as well as in the Fillies Guineas, could seek compensation in the Majorca which has long been the aim of third-placed Silver Mountain.  Opinions are divided as to whether she got the 1 800m.

“Grant said she didn’t but I don’t think we can say that. The winner is perhaps the better over this distance,” was the view of the trainer. “Nightingale (fourth) will also run in the Majorca, maybe with a pair of blinkers.”

Horizon will be one of the main contenders for the Investec Cape Derby after comfortably justifying odds of 3-4 under joint top weight in the Politician. “It hasn’t been plain-sailing with him,’ said Mrs Bass-Robinson. “He is heavy, takes a lot of work and haemo-concentrates a bit. But on his breeding he can only improve.”

The once-record priced Dynasty colt (out of a full sister to Silvano) races under the name of Hunkydory Investments but top game breeder Piet du Toit will be the registered owner by the time of the Derby.

Runner-up Newlands will join Table Bay in Joey Ramsden’s bid to win the classic. ”He is a hard horse to win with,” said Ramsden. “His crime in life is that he doesn’t quicken.”

By Michael Clower

Scottsville Saturday Race Previews by Warren Lenferna
Moved to Greyville Monday

Race 1
Preview: Mostly first timers so watch the betting and have a look at the first timer comments – of the raced runners a big run can be expected from EASY PEASY she has been running on well over 800m and now the extended trip should be right up her alley – big runner. (Warren Lenferna NO SELECTION)

Race 2
Preview: VALCAR ran a cracker last time and was denied victory in the shadow of the post – hard to beat today. MIGHTY HASH is well tried but should get it right one of these days. SILVER SAILS ran on well on debut and finished third – big chance. KINSHASA showed huge improvement in his second run and is one of the leading lights. (Warren Lenferna 16-2-14-9)

Race 3
Preview: SEATTLE SPELL has a bad draw to overcome but ran well last time when beaten in the shadow of the post – he rates very hard to beat today. ASYOUPLEASE is the biggest danger but tries the distance for the first time – he is well drawn. PRINCE ARIANO ran well last time and is a must in everything and ROY’S STORMER has a chance as well but they will all have to go some to peg back SEATTLE SPELL. (Warren Lenferna 4-11-3-15)

Race 4
Preview: A weak field and trainer Craig Eudey seems to have found the right spot for the ever consistent THE MONEY MAN to record his second career victory – I fancy him quite strongly and have selected him to win. MAMBO raced well with first time tongue tie last time and based on that in this weak field should be able to go very close – respect. ROYAL ZULU GUARD is coming back to form and cannot be ignored. JACK THE KNIFE nearly won at long odds last time and if he repeats that run will have a chance again. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-9-10)

Race 5
Preview: Rather a hard race faces punters here. GAVEA GIRL has a deep draw to overcome but if she does she should be able to go very close as her form is consistent and she seems cheery ripe to record her second career win. CAPTAINS MOLL won so well last time that if she followed up it would be bno shock at all. LUNA SEA is consistent and her stable is in mustard form at present it would be silly not to give her a chance. (Warren Lenferna 8-3-4-2)

Race 6
Preview: WILD WICKET won and won well last time. He gets the best draw today and he looks progressive. He has been selected to record back to back victories. His form lines are very strong especially since Mr O’Neill has won again. PALLADIUM gets the advantage of some weight off his back from the claiming apprentice and this brings him right into the picture. MY PAL AL is way better than his last run in the Dingaans suggests. He has ability and cannot be discounted. RED CHESTNUT ROAD returns from a long rest and he should be able to run well here but his level of fitness is unknown – he is rated and has ability so do not ignore him. (Warren Lenferna 5-3-6-1)

Race 7
Preview: Don’t blink as you will miss the race – the speed will be on from the jump. CALL ME WINTER has shown that 1000m’s is her game – she is lightening fast and just finds another gear in the closing stages of the race. She is taking on some older hard knocking males but I do believe that her speed will see her through to the winner’s box – she is my firm first choice. Cheek can be expected from the marvelous MUSCATT – he is super and has tons of ability but is set to carry top weight. BLAZE OF MYSTERY, ISCA and A WOMANS WAY all have a chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-1-6-5)

Race 8
Preview: RUSSIAN GIRL looks ready to notch up her next career win and her trainer seems to have found the right race for her. STORM KITTEN, AZNERAK and LA DI VAR are all running well and should be close up together at the finish. (Warren Lenferna 4-8-9-1)

The main supporting feature on Saturday’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate card is the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes for fillies and mares and Bela-Bela looks to be the meeting banker.

This four-year-old Dynasty filly was rated by Anthony Delpech as the second best filly he had ever ridden behind only Igugu after winning the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 last May. In her recent comeback over 1400m she oozed class once more and she only needed to be stretched out in the final stages to get up over a trip short of her best. Last year as a still maturing three-year-old she finished only three lengths behind Smart Call in this race and the latter went on to produce one of the best Met performances in history.

Bela-Bela looks hard to beat. If she is not made a banker, the race becomes a mine field. Safe Harbour is a long-striding sort who is thriving in Cape Town and on pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. Bela-Bela’s stablemate Star Express is highly regarded by the yard and only has 1,3 lengths to make up on the latter from last year and she now has the draw Bela-Bela had last year, pole position. Sail is a classy and progressive three-year-old who was running on late in the Cape Fillies Guineas, so is a big runner if able to overcome her draw. Chevauchee has always had a big reputation and finally gets to prove how good she is over a course and distance which should suit.

Nightingale is not far off Bela-Bela on Woolavington form and now has her third run after a layoff. Silver Mountain is classy and should be coming into her own being by Silvano, but there has to be a slight stamina doubt. Final Judgement was unlucky in the Cape Fillies Guineas and she should be staying on with long strides. Whose That Girl was also unlucky in the Cape Fillies Guineas and will be staying on. Goodtime Gal is consistent but has a wide draw, albeit with Gavin Lerena up. Tahini is small but has improved this season although she needs a further step up and Icy Fire also needs to improve.

In the Gr 3 Cartier Politician Stakes Newlands’ form stands out as superior to the rest of the field and he should relish the course and distance too. Horizon caught the eye when unlucky in the Jet Master Stakes over 1600m and will be staying on too. Strathdon has a nice stride and will love the galloping nature of the course and distance, so is another threat. Ollivander is a nice type and could be the dark horse. Carbon Offset’s last win over 1600m has worked out well, but there are question marks over this trip.

In the Gr 2 Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap Whisky Baron is improving all the time and his class should carry him close, although Mambo Mime and It’s My Turn also have the class to win and Nebula, Icy Trail and Star Chestnut could pick up the pieces if any of those three fail.

By David Thiselton