The L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate will reside in Johannesburg for the next year after the Sean Tarry-trained Legal Eagle proved why he is the country’s highest merit rated horse by winning the prestigious R1 million weight for age mile under a typically brilliant ride by Anton Marcus.

The four-year-old Greys Inn colt beat home the second favourite, the Justin Snaith-trained Legislate, whose more fancied stablemate Futura could only manage a disappointing fifth. The only three-year-old in the race, the Mike de Kock-trained Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas winner Noah From Goa, was third.

Earlier the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes had also gone to the small team of Highveld raiders, as it was won by the Alec Laird-trained Ideal World filly Smart Call.

Justin Snaith had some consolation for the Queen’s Plate defeat of Futura and Legislate by having a five-timer on the day.

This year’s Queen’s Plate had been the object of fascination a long time before the unveiling of the high class field and more intrigue was added this week when Anton Marcus decided to switch from the top miler Act Of War on to Legal Eagle. Marcus not only had the J&B Met in mind but yesterday it soon became clear he had another plan up his sleeve too. The pace had been one of the question marks and Marcus put this issue to bed from the off as he shot out of the stalls and took Legal Eagle straight to the front. The Alec Laird-trained Bouclette Top was then surprisingly rushed around him, as he is normally a hold up type. This suited Marcus and Legal Eagle travelled like a winner throughout.

Legal Eagle and Anton Marcus (Liesl King)

Ironically, the first horse he burned off in the straight, after quickly taking care of Bouclette Top, was Act Of War, who had managed to find third place from his high draw. Meanwhile, the two big guns, Futura and Legislate, had been well placed throughout and were poised to strike. However, they could not fetch Legal Eagle and neither could the brave little Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas winner, Noah From Goa, who came from midfield. Legal Eagle ran on well to win by 1,5 lengths and there was a further 0,4 lengths back to Noah From Goa. The fancied Captain America ran on from way back to deny Futura a quartet position.

Legal Eagle was bred by Avontuur Thorouhbred Farm and is owned by Markus and Ingrid Jooste. This was his second career Gr 1 victory. He will now attempt to repeat Futura’s feat of doing the Queen’s Plate and J&B Met double.

The Duncan Howells-trained Same Jurisdiction was all the rage in the Paddock Stakes but appeared to be slightly strong in the running and after being given every chance by Marcus in the straight, did not find the same finish she finds over shorter. It is clear now she doesn’t quite stay the 1800m trip, although she was just touched off for third by the Snaith-trained three-year-old Bela-Bela. Smart Call, who was bred and is owned by Mauritzfontein Stud, came from three lengths off the pace. Last year’s winner Inara turned for home behind her. Smart Call surged through on the inside under a strong ride by Marwing and kept going well to deny an always chasing Inara by two lengths. Bela-Bela, who also ran down the inside, was another length behind. Same Jurisdiction was 0,4 lengths further back, 0,85 lengths clear of the Gr 1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess.

The Gr 2 Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap over 1800m saw Glen Kotzen clinching a double on the day when the Western Winter gelding Light The Lights at last fulfilled his undoubted promise. The four-year-old son of Western Winter had badly needed gelding by the end of last season and yesterday, having his third run after the operation and off a lowered merit rating too, he was backed into 10/1. He settled beautifully under Stuart Randolph, who had him covered throughout in midfield despite being caught wide from his draw of nine.

The Bill Prestage-trained Milton has been a different horse since returning from his stint in Johannesburg. He was officially 1,5kg under sufferance yesterday, but M J Byleveld used his light weight to make a bold bid from the front. Light The Lights showed a fine turn of foot and always looked likely to catch Milton, who had stolen a march, but in the end he only reached him close to home to win by 0,4 lengths. Sansui Summer Cup winner Deo Juvente ran on well for third and Helderberg Blue just got the better of Master’s Eye to repeat his fourth place finish of last year.

Later, the Justin Snaith-trained Silvano colt Black Arthur stamped himself as the new kid on the three-year-old block with a remarkable victory in the Gr 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m under Piere Strydom. The finish was being fought out by the Mike Bass-trained Marinaresco and the Tarry-trained Liege, when Black Arthur, who had come from a mile back, burst through on the inside to win going away by 0,75 lengths.

Earlier, the BMW Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m was used as a preparation by a few for the forthcoming Gr 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championships and unfortunately Highveld raider Trip Tease had to be scratched at the start. One of the fancied runners Guiness was prominent before fading and the Tote favourite Brutal Force moved up to challenge the always prominent Snaith-trained Harry Lime. However, the latter, who started 33/1 and was ridden by Anthony Delpech, won on the head bob and thus showed he had benefitted from recent gelding, as this was his first victory since easily winning the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Scottsville as a two-year-old.

The sizeable Justin Snaith team were thus on the board and they made it a quick double when the fancied Captain Swarovski won the next over 1200m under Bernard Fayd’Herbe. Snaith’s other winners on the day were with Qing ridden, by Strydom, and Overshadow, ridden by Marcus.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Legal Eagle winning the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth yesterday (Liesl King)

With the going at Scottsville Racecourse already soft, and with the forecast of further rain over the weekend, Gold Circle conducted a survey among trainers with carded runners for Sunday and an overwhelming 75% voted in favour of Gold Circle making an early and decisive call to move the racemeeting to the Polytrack at Greyville.

Given the outcome of the survey, Gold Circle has agreed to move Sunday’s racemeeting to the Polytrack at Greyville with no change to the advertised starting times. In terms of the NHA rules, trainers have 24 hours to scratch as a result of change of venue/surface, after which time eliminations where necessary will be made public.

“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.”

Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)

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.

Noah From Goa (Liesl King)

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

Greyville stages an eight race meeting on tonight, the first four on the poly and the others on turf, and punters who have done their homework should be rewarded as most of the races are competitive.

Black Cashmere (Nkosi Hlophe)

In race one, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, Elusive Wolf raced green for much of his first two starts, but the penny appeared to drop late in his last outing over this trip on the turf when wearing first-time blinkers, and he then caught the eye, so gets the vote with Delpech now up from a good draw. Hearts R’ Pumping led with first-time blinkers over 1600m on the poly last time and went close so should be thereabouts again in the uninspiring field. Jabuticaba should be improving and has the ability to earn a place in this field. Putchini was relaxed in the running for a change last time out despite running wide and consequently ran to his ability and with a repeat he should be involved in the finish as long as he doesn’t jump too slowly. Powder Keg has not been disgraced in some fair fields although his best form has been over 1200m. The first-timer Eton is by Black Minnaloushe and is a half-brother to a couple of multiple winners. First-timer Enemy Action is by Brave Tin Soldier out of a Badger Land maiden.

Race two is a very competitive Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m which has a number of possible winners. Imbali was backed on debut and ran on to be four lengths back in sixth from a tough draw over the Scottsville 1000m, so she gets the vote from a good draw as she will relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Catherine Of Aragon has some early speed and on pedigree should relish the step up in trip, being out of a seven-time winning Gr 3 victor from 1600-2450m. Blue Beach was still green last time but stayed on strongly and if getting into the race earlier has a shout, although she would likely prefer further being a full-sister to a 2400m winner. Roy’s Monkey did well when taken to the front last time on turf and from draw two with Marcus up has an ideal chance to repeat the tactic. Young Lass had to be rousted after starting slowly on debut and stayed on quite well in the straight without being cut in half so some improvement can be expected from this eyecatching sort although her pedigree suggests she might be suited to shorter (her full-sister Nordic Lass won her maiden over 1450m but was subsequently kept to sprints and her half-brother Mr Mickey Mouse was a Listed-winning 1000m specialist). All of Villa Floriana, Daenerys and Being Julia could earn too.

The third is a MR 66 handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. Black Cashmere is interesting stepped down in trip. She went to the front from a wide draw over 1600m on the Greyville turf when winning her maiden second time out and beating a decent sort in the process. She then overraced over the same course and distance last time which suggests she could be interesting over this suitable trip as she should have enough pace to get to the front from a wide draw. Obrega went close over course and distance in October in a similar field from a similar draw and off the same merit rating. Donna Amata is drawn in pole and could run on into the money, but she does tend to start slowly and would likely prefer 1600m.

Donna Amata (Nkosi Hlophe)

The fourth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1600m and Strategic’s Pride makes most appeal as he has an ideal draw with Anton Marcus aboard and has a lowered merit rating, so on recent evidence should be finishing strongly over an ideal course and distance. Danish Wood appeared to love the course and distance on his return to action last time when sharing the spoils and from pole position should make another bold bid off just a two point higher mark. Second Lieutenant could earn from a handy position having not been disgraced last time over this distance on turf in a race in which he was 4,5kg under sufferance.

The fifth is a MR 74 Handicap over 1600m and Night Shadow has been in fine form since being stepped up to a distance beyond this trip. However, the key might be being by Silvano he has simply come into his own, and on recent evidence he could be too classy for this field. Capel Top is drawn in pole off a four point higher mark than his last win, which was over this trip on the poly, and he should be staying all the way to the line over a trip which is probably the shortest of his stamina range. Argyle Bay has been running on late over 1400m so is interesting here off an attractive merit. He starts slowly so the wide draw shouldn’t be too much of a concern as he can be slotted in behind the field. Roy’s Strike Force has run on over 1200m and could earn here if staying the trip, which he could do as his National Assembly dam finished second in a Listed race over a mile. Rocky Bay, representing an in form yard, is one point lower than his last winning mark and ideally distance suited.

The sixth is a MR 86 Handicap over 2000m and Kitty’s Destiny has always struck as one with plenty of ability and as one who would improve with age and over distance so from a god draw off a likely capped merit rating he could follow up on his recent facile victory on the poly over this trip. Qatar Springs has come class and is distance suited. Dante’s Legacy has been highly tried, so is obviously well regarded, and in his third run after a layoff is drawn in pole over a step up in trip he will enjoy.

The seventh is a MR 62 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m and Lady Ami at last gets a good draw over her best trip and she has been lowered in the merit ratings. The hard-knocking Class Mondiale should be thereabouts if able to find the front without using up too much energy. Tales Of Mambo now has Marcus up having proved herself suited to this trip, although she doesn’t have an easy draw. Jet NTombi has a tough draw but should be running on. Barcelona Babe is likely improving being by Silvano and could earn.

The last is a MR 70 Handicap over 2000m and the improving Pure Valor has Marcus up from a fair draw and can make amends for his last race when just touched off over this trip on the poly. Forest has some class and is interesting stepped down to 2000m. Jamal is well drawn over a suitable trip and has come down to an attractive merit rating.

By David Thiselton

Erstwhile South African race caller Peter Duffield often loudly exclaimed, “It’s race time!” With similar enthusiasm, the Mikedekockracing.com team would like to announce… “It’s Dubai International Carnival Time”!

Meydan’s pillar partner and official timekeeper, Longines, presents the opening US$920,000 Dubai World Cup Carnival card of 2016 today, highlighted by the first rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge races for Purebred Arabians and Thoroughbreds.

Mike de Kock fields nine runners at this opening meeting and he jokingly described them as his ‘Squad Of Pensioners’. The average age of the stable’s first runners is six-and-a-half years which would’ve been close to seven if not for the presence of four-year-old Banaadeer, who will leading the Band Of Old Boys from Blue Stables to the racetrack.

Meydan’s officials won’t be handing out any carrot vouchers and they won’t allow the likes of nine-year-old Star Empire and eight-year-old Anaerobio any head-start but chances are the old stalwarts won’t need any favours.

“I suspect my average horse at Meydan’s first carnival meeting is older than the average horse in Sean Tarry’s yard and that tells you the story,” De Kock quipped in reference to his friend, the reigning South African Champion Trainer.

He added: “These older horses become more and more unpredictable with age, but they are still so impressive, they love their work and they’re fresh with all indications that they will see out another season just loving it. The carnival lends itself to horses like these who don’t race a lot elsewhere.”

De Kock supplied notes on his runners:

Race 2: Handicap over 1200m on Dirt
 Royal Ridge (Wayne Smith)
“Our horse here is seven-year-old Royal Ridge, who ended his Carnival last year with a good run over 1400m on dirt. He has a good inside gate, he’s well and has a Place chance.

Race 3: Handicap over 1000m on Turf
Banaadeer (AUS) (Dane O’Neill)
“I said last year that Banaadeer will be a better horse this year and I will stick to that, he looks the part. He’s in what I believe is a really tough comeback race so this won’t be easy. He’s fresh and well but will improve for the outing.”

Race 4: Gr2 Al Maktoum Challenge (Race 1), 1600m on Dirt
Prayer For Relief (USA) (Christophe Soumillon)
“Here’s an interesting horse called Prayer For Relief, he is eight years old.  He came to us just before World Cup night last year and we had only two weeks to prepare him so that was far from ideal. Despite that he ran a fair race about eight lengths off in the Gr2 Godolphin Mile. He’s had a very good preparation this time, he is sound and moving well. The drawbacks are that this comeback run is on dirt, that’s never easy, and also he’s in a really competitive field. It’s a strong renewal of the Maktoum Round 1 that includes plenty of Godolphin Mile runners from last year. Five of them were ahead of him on the day. We’ll see how he goes, he has some good scope for the carnival.”

Race 5: Handicap over 2000m on Turf
Star Empire (Sam Hitchcott), Sanshaawes (Christophe Soumillon) and Atomic Rush (Wayne Smith)
“The old guy Star Empire is fresh as a daisy, he and Sanshaawes are quite fit and while I cannot predict with any confidence how they will go, we’re expecting decent runs from both. Atomic Rush had a fetlock injury and hence a disappointing carnival last year, but he’s over that and he’s well, he is not 100% fit and will benefit from this run. Also he looks like he needs 2400m plus. He’s a nice horse, he is one for the carnival shortlist and we look forward to his campaign this term.”

Race 7: Handicap over 1400m on Turf
Zahee (Christophe Soumillon) Anaerobio (Wayne Smith) and Whistle Stop (Dane O’Neill)
“Zahee and Anaerobio are both in fine shape, they are as fit as they can be and again, while these older horses can let you down, their work is good enough to make them runners with chances. Whistle Stop was unsettled last year but he’s had a good rest and he’s doing well at home, he’s a different kettle of fish. He needs further and will improve with the run behind him.

*Race 1 of 7 at Meydan jumps at 5pm tonight (Thursday, January 7)

Courtesy of Mikedekockracing.com