Tomorrow’s Champions Day at Turffontein is the richest meeting in South Africa and Legal Eagle could cement his chances of landing a third Equus Horse Of The Year title.
Legal Eagle is unbeaten over a mile but his effectiveness over the 2000m trip of tomorrow’s Premier’s Champions Challenge is illustrated in his course and distance record which reads two wins and a neck second in three starts. Things did not pan out well for him in the Met or in this race last year, but now from a good draw he will be hard to beat. Nother Russia challenged Legal Eagle strongly over 1600m last time and they meet on weight for age terms again, but she is drawn outside of him, unlike last year. Coral Fever has proven over and over this season that he is a horse to be reckoned with. He is better draw here in seven than he was in the Summer Cup where he finished third. He did carry only 52kg in the latter race, and this is now a weight for age event, but he looks up to it.
Nother Russia (JC Photographics)
Abashiri will likely have come on from his last start when a touch laboured in the finish and at his peak this long-striding Triple Crown winner will be a threat. Glider Pilot is also long-striding sort and is still improving. Tyrone Zackey is a fine big race conditioner and this horse has a chance. Orchid Island has disappointed in her last two starts in the Horse Chestnut and the Empress Club, but will relish the step up in trip and is drawn in pole position. Dawn Assault is a progressive sort who is well drawn over an ideal course and distance. Silvan Star appears to be thriving on the Highveld and stays this trip. She only has 1,7 lengths to make up on Nother Russia from the Empress Club but has a wide draw.
Fort Ember can be a touch headstrong and thus went to the front last time from a wide draw and might have to do the same here which will make it tough. Safe Harbor is drawn well and has the top jockey Lyle Hewitson up so if bouncing back to the form of last season could surprise. Deo Juvente showed his class last year when winning this race but his three runs since then have been below par. Brazuca finished third behind Legal Eagle in this race two years ago and was only 4,5 lengths back last year, but his recent form has been uninspiring and he has a tough draw. French Navy has become disappointing and also has a tough draw.
The Grade 1 SA Derby could see Majestic Mambo making up for the bad luck he had in the SA Classic when nearly brought down. He was slicing through the field like a hot knife through butter at the time. He should stay this trip being out of a mare who won over 2400m and his exceptional turn of foot could carry him close after being dropped out to his usual last place. Surcharge was probably used up a bit much to overcome a wide draw in the SA Classic last time and it proved costly. He is likely to be dropped out and will go close as a relaxed type with a big action. Like A Panther has always struck as Derby type and being trained by Mike de Kock will go close.
The Computaform Sprint has attracted a weaker field than usual and is the hardest race on the card, especially considering the low draws are sometimes difficult to win from on the big days. Rocky Valley is given the vote as he won with a bit in hand last time over course and distance, so he can defy the handicapper. Sergeant Hardy should go close despite a low draw due to his exceptional cruising speed and the ability to stay on.
In the SA Oaks Takingthepeace goes for the Triple Tiara and despite having a stamina doubt in pedigree can do it due to her relaxed style of running coupled with her good turn of foot and resolute finish.
Bold Eagle is the one to beat in the SA Nursery but Hit The Green impressed last time and could be a threat.
By David Thiselton
