SA Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle set himself up for a rare L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate double when showing his class in a thrilling finish to a high-class true run renewal of the R400 000 Gr2 Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Anton Marcus drives Legal Eagle out powerfully to hold Grant van Niekerk and Marinaresco (Pic – Wayne Marks)
With Saturday’s race being billed a Gr1 in everything but name, and something of a Queen’s Plate dress rehearsal, the stage was set for a thriller – and there was to be no disappointment for race fans.
Both the top two in the betting, Legal Eagle and the year younger Champions Cup winner Marinaresco, had run excellent sprint preps in advance of their more pressing commitments to come and came in ready to do battle in the first feature on the summer course this term.
But what was supposed to be a soft entry programme plan for Legal Eagle, didn’t quite pan out as expected…
Sail South led Captain America with Helderberg Blue in third, just ahead of New Predator and Legal Eagle in the eight horse field.
In the turn into the long home straight the frontrunners grabbed two lengths as Grant van Niekerk got to work on Marinaresco, keeping an eye on Anton Marcus who was making his move a few lengths ahead.
Marcus brought the long-striding Legal Eagle through the centre at the 350m marker and the son of Greys Inn looked to be going on to win convincingly – that is until Grant van Niekerk got Marinaresco to gear up down the outside.
Anton Marcus – great ride on a top horse
The complexion of the race changed dramatically at the 100m marker as Marinaresco’’s momentum looked likely to carry him past the leader.
But Marcus squeezed a little bit more and Legal Eagle stretched like the top horse that he is to go on and win by 0,40 lengths in a time of 96,92 secs.
Marinaresco took a while to get going but despite being fobbed off left with his reputation intact.
Captain America held on for third a further 4 lengths back with the rest well beaten.
A smiling Anton Marcus quipped that it was nice to experience a true-run race in Cape Town.
“Marinaresco is probably the best horse in country at weight for age and I was a bit concerned when I went early. I thought that he would go past me in the final 100m. But Legal Eagle stuck his neck out and held on,” said Marcus.
He went on to confirm that Legal Eagle had needed the run.
“He’d had enough at the end but I expected that – he’s got a long season ahead. The win is testament to this horse’s courage.”
Sean Tarry – saddled Legal Eagle
Trainer Sean Tarry maintained his excellent form after his five winners on Summer Cup day.
“The fact that we haven’t overraced Legal Eagle helps. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go for this race but we brought him down ten days before the race. I’m getting a bit cheeky – but we got away with it! It was a good ride by Anton Marcus,” he said.
The Avontuur-bred Legal Eagle has now won 8 races with 4 places from 14 starts for stakes of R6 085 375.
By Vodacom Durban July winner Greys Inn, he is out of the six-time winning National Emblem mare Young Sensation, who was also trained by Sean Tarry.
The winner was bought by Sean Tarry on behalf of top owner Markus Jooste for R425 000 at the 2013 National Yearling Sale.
The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate rematch will be a race to look forward to.
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Gr2 Green Point Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, December 3, R400k, 1600m, turf, good, 1.36.92
1 – LEGAL EAGLE (SAF), 60.0, b g 5, Greys Inn (USA) – Young Sensation (SAF) by National Emblem (SAF). Owner Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D L Brugman); Breeder Avontuur Farm; trainer SG Tarry; jockey A Marcus
2 – Marinaresco (SAF), 60.0, b g 4, Silvano (GER) – Gay Fortuna (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA)
3 – Captain America (SAF), 59.0, b g 6, Captain Al (SAF) – Requista (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA)
Margins: 0.40, 4.25, 3.25
