Just how Sean Tarry plays his ‘Legal Eagle’ trump card over the next couple of days will have a marked effect on the weights for the Vodacom Durban July. The weights are due out tomorrow.

Until now Tarry has not been drawn on Legal Eagle but given current bookmakers betting and their information network, indications are that the gelding will not run in the July.

But just when Tarry decides to withdraw Legal Eagle, if indeed that is his intention, will make a significant difference to the weights for the race.

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

If Tarry withdraws Legal Eagle before publication of the weights then Tarry-trained French Navy will be allotted top weight of 60kg with current favourite Black Arthur 53,5kg.

If Legal Eagle runs, he will carry 60kg, stable companion French Navy will carry 57,5kg and Black Arthur 53kg. Should Tarry withdraw Legal Eagle after the publication of the weights French Navy will be pushed up to 60kg but Black Arthur would also rise by a corresponding 2,5kg to 55,5kg, 2kg more than if Legal Eagle is withdrawn before publication of the weights.

Also in this final scenario, a number of lower rated three-year-olds would get into the race not under sufferance as they would if Black Arthur carried 53,5kg or 53kg.

Tarry also pitched the July selection panel another curved ball as Trophy Wife scored a timely victory in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein yesterday. Slow out, as is her want, S’manga Khumalo was content to sit well off the pace in the early exchanges of the 1400m event but moved the filly through smoothly on the inside rail to score a bloodless victory.

Trophy Wife had much in her favour here and just what view the panel takes will be interesting.

Not so lucky was Deo Juvente in the Gr3 Jubilee Handicap. 15th on the July log, Geoff Woodruff’s runner was pulled up before the line and his chances of making July 2 now look slim.

However, Tarry’s decision to send Leige up from his Summerveld yard paid dividends as he outlasted Rainy Day Blues giving some credence to the form of the Gr1 Daily News 2000. The first two home were not among initial July nominations but the final supplementary stage is today at a cost of R25k.

By Andrew Harrison