The rematch between reigning SA Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle and local star Marinaresco is set to reach a climax in the final stages of today’s 156th renewal of the R1,5 million Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
South Africa’s premier weight-for-age mile looks a straight shootout between the powerhouse pair.
Last year’s sensational winner Legal Eagle scored a first round body blow over his arch-rival Marinaresco in the Green Point Stakes run over the course and distance just over a month ago, and with the two having enjoyed similar preps, the stage is well and truly set for a humdinger.
Legal Eagle beats Marinaresco in the Green Point
Legal Eagle has won 3 of his 4 starts since finding the top-class Ideal World filly 3,50 lengths too good in the J&B Met just under a year ago.
Since then he has won two Gr1’s at home, run a storming place in a 1160m sprint and dug deep on fitness reserves to hold Marinaresco to 0,40 lengths in the Green Point Stakes last time.
There is no question that the year younger Marinaresco was finishing the stronger there, but today
is a new day – a new race – and Legal Eagle won’t relinquish his title without a fight.
His challenger has had a busier, and marginally less auspicious year.
Marinaresco won two Gr3’s in the Cape Winter Series, was beaten into second by The Conglomerate in the July, and ended his season with a win in the Gr1 Champions Cup over Judicial.
Marinaresco gets his chance today
Like Legal Eagle, he also finished like a rocket in a prep sprint and then couldn’t pass the Eagle in the Green Point Stakes.
The biggest pressure on Saturday will be on having him closer to the pace than he necessarily wants or enjoys to be. It should be a tactical teeth grinder – and not the only one on the day between Marcus and Van Niekerk!
The local superhero Captain America spearheads the Brett Crawford attack and is a powerful galloper with the temperament for the big occasion.
Don’t write Captain America off
Beaten into fourth behind Legal Eagle last year and then having no answers when 4,65 lengths behind the Tarry star in the Green Point, Captain America looks likely to keep them honest with a possible pacemaking role to fill.
Corne Orffer knows the big fellow well and they will be looking to pick up the scraps if any of the fancied runners falter.
Read our LQP swinger suggestion
The in-form Richard Fourie is worth a length or two at Kenilworth this season and is riding with commitment. He partners the second of the Brett Crawford trio in the 6yo Sail South.
This eight-time winner has earned his place here with a string of honest showings but after his 7,90 length fourth behind Legal Eagle in the Green Point Stakes looks to have a back-end of quartets chance at his very best.
Sean Tarry has excellent back-up firepower in the form of the Count Dubois gelding, French Navy.
French Navy – solid back-up for Legal Eagle
This multiple Gr1 winning 5yo has his first run in the Cape – and has long looked the sort who will relish the Kenilworth track.
French Navy disappointed in the July when only staying on tamely for an under 4 length eleventh position.
He stretched his legs at Turffontein in a sprint three weeks back and there is every reason to believe he will be charging at them late – with big race Weichong Marwing in the saddle to show him the ropes.
Triple Crown winner Abashiri adds some colour to this great race.
The son of Go Deputy has had two modestly dull runs this season after being well beaten in the July.
Abashiri – can he lift his game today?
He faded right out in a too-short sprint prep at Turffontein and then never showed when beaten 9,15 lengths behind Legal Eagle in the Green Point Stakes last time out.
Mike Azzie will have him much more competitively fitter here, but even with the 1 draw and Gavin Lerena in his favour, he will be under pressure to take on and beat Legal Eagle and Marinaresco.
Mike de Kock – saddles Bold Rex
Mike de Kock’s 3yo Bold Rex is something of an enigma. Where does he fit into the bigger scheme of things?
He ran a cracking third behind Bezanova in the Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes at home, and followed that with a slightly inferior effort when third again behind Singapore Sling in the Dingaans.
He moved up with a double handlful but went a bit flat-footed when third (again!) at his opening Cape run in the Premier Trophy – just a half length off Icy Trail last time.
He may be better over 200m shorter here but it is difficult suggesting he has what it takes to trouble the top two.
Glen Puller’s lightly tried 6yo Silicone Valley has always been something of a talking horse and he gets his chance to make a name for himself against our best milers.
The son of Jay Peg has beaten inferior sorts over the mile but he has won 2 of his last 4 outings and his recent form shows heart and consistency.
He came on too late when failing by a half length to get to Search Party in the Cape Merchants at his last start. That may not leap out of the page as potential L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winning credentials, but his owners will be keen to take the best on.
The 2016 Vodacom Durban July winner The Conglomerate adds some Ramsden needle into the contest.
The Conglomerate wins the July
The son of Lonhro beat Marinaresco by 0,25 lengths the last time they met – in the July – and could conceivably hold the Bass runner again, on paper.
The Conglomerate’s only three runs this term have been in Gauteng and he gave dual Summer Cup star Master Sabina a fright when running him to 1,30 lengths at Turffontein in the big one at the end of November.
He is drawn wide here and his main target looks likely to be the J&B Met.
Midnite Zone is the third of the Brett Crawford runners.
The son of Trippi takes a massive jump in class and besides having plenty to do against the big guns, looks held by his older stablemate, Sail South – and the longshot, Silicone Valley.
The Trippi gelding Fifty Cents is Justin Snaith’s representative.
The 4yo gelding survived an objection to win the Listed Jet Master Stakes three weeks ago and looks to be more of a sentimental entry than a genuine contestant for top honours in this prestigious race.
He would be much better off taking on this level of opposition on handicap terms.
Confidence is a major weapon in the arsenal of the equine athlete.
Legal Eagle is one up on Marinaresco – he is the title holder – he is also our Horse Of The Year.
We are going with him to hold off the upcoming Marinaresco. It should be a close call!
