Star Avontuur-bred galloper Legal Eagle made hacks of his opposition to win Saturday’s R4 million Premier’s Champions Challenge – his second Gr1 trophy in the month of April – and signal himself the overwhelming candidate for the South African Horse Of The Year title this term.
Legal Eagle and Anton Marcus are too strong in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge (Pic – JC Photos)
Gauteng’s richest unrestricted race ranks only second to the Vodacom Durban July in terms of buying power but Legal Eagle made it all look so easy, to give his trainer Sean Tarry a hat-trick of Gr1’s on Champions Day – and his fourth feature success of the afternoon.
The outstanding Legal Eagle was landing his personal third Gr1 of the season and the fourth of his own career when he turned the tense atmosphere of the SA Derby and the Abashiri drama of a half hour earlier into a carnival of stylish galloping simplicity that makes him such an exciting racehorse to watch.
The son of Greys Inn started an 11-20 favourite on an afternoon where the formbook was mostly on its very best behaviour – and after being up with the pace throughout he easily warded off the challenge of the Johan Janse Van Vuuren-trained 3yo Brazuca, who again looked so dangerous late.
The winner’s high quality stablemate French Navy upped his game after a quiet spell and ran on late to snare the second cheque from Brazuca and give Tarry a thrilling exacta – and what looks like an unassailable lead at the top of the SA National Trainer’s log. In the process he set himself up to secure a second consecutive championship title.
Anton Marcus – armchair ride
Anton Marcus hardly raised a sweat as the 4yo gelding waltzed away to win by 2,10 lengths in a time of 121,77 secs.
French Navy only found his stride late but shouted a timeous return to form ahead of the SA Champions Season – and another likely shot at the July.
The Australian-bred Brazuca is amongst the best of his year and he was not disgraced in this company in finishing third. Mac De Lago flickered briefly to run 1,70 lengths back in fourth.
The rest were not in the same race.
Trainer Sean Tarry suggested that the Champions Cup at Greyville at the end of the season was a more likely target than the July for Legal Eagle – but qualified that suggestion by saying that he would be consulting owners Ingrid and Markus Jooste before making a firm decision.
The winner has now notched 7 victories with 3 places from 12 starts and took his stakes tally to R5 822 875.
He was bought by the reigning SA champion trainer on behalf of top owner Markus Jooste for R425 000 at the 2013 National Yearling Sale.
Bred by Avontuur, who themselves have enjoyed a stellar month, Legal Eagle is by Vodacom Durban July winner Greys Inn out of the six-time winning National Emblem mare Young Sensation, who was also trained by Sean Tarry.
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Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge (SAf-Gr1)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 30, R4 million, 2000m, turf, good, 2.01.77
1 – LEGAL EAGLE (SAF), 60.0, b g 4, Greys Inn (USA) – Young Sensation (SAF) by National Emblem (SAF). Owner Mrs I Jooste & Mr M J Jooste; Breeder Avontuur Farm; trainer SG Tarry; jockey A Marcus
2 – French Navy (SAF), 60.0, b g 4, Count Dubois (GB) – Redoubtable (SAF) by Elliodor (FR)
3 – Brazuca (AUS), 54.5, ch c 3, Teofilo (IRE) – Base Paradise (AUS) by Choisir (AUS)
Margins: 2.10, 0.10, 1.70
