Legislate cruises in under Richard Fourie (Bay Media)
SA Horse Of The Year Legislate set the temperature standard at boiling point for the Summer Of Champions Season when he burst clear with class and genuine authority to slam his field in the R400 000 Gr2 Green Point Stakes run at weight-for-age over a mile at Kenilworth on Saturday. It was an extraordinary fifth feature win on the trot, including 3 Gr1’s, for the star performer.
There were the cynics amongst us that pondered the possibilities that Legislate was beatable returning from a 20 week post July break, despite the fact that his work had shown that he was in prime fight.
Justin Snaith – set for a hot, hot summer!
But the result was never in doubt in a facile victory that must have had trainer Justin Snaith smiling from ear to ear.
Corne Orffer allowed Captain America to utilise his ample stride as Piere Strydom took Readytogorightnow into second position as Punta Arenas and Light The Lights relaxed further back and Legislate settled some ten lengths off the action.
The order remained unchanged into the home run with Captain America galloping strongly as Ashton Park and Jet Aglow delivered their challenges.
In a matter of 50m, Richard Fourie switched Legislate out for his dash down the middle and with the rest seemingly frozen in their tracks, he proved too classy and drew off inside the final 300m to charge clear to an easy win by 3,50 lengths in a new record time of 95,84 secs.
That was faster Counter Action’s long-standing record of 96, 20 sec on the new course when Counter Action carried 3kgs less.
Ashton Park ran out of his skin to deny the late burst of Futura who came from way back to finish strongly in a solid return run after a break.
Captain America came under pressure and plodded late but stayed on into fourth and 5 lengths behind the winner.
Famous pair! Richard Fourie and Legislate
Jet Aglow was just behind him in fifth and she will come on nicely with this run.
The rest were well beaten.
Legislate has now won five prime races on the trot from five starts since 1 February this year.
He won the Gr1 Cape Derby, the Gr2 KRA Guineas, the Gr1 Daily News 2000, the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July and wrapped up the Gr2 Green Point Stakes today with minimal fuss.
Legislate took his career tally to 6 wins and 4 places from 12 starts and boosted his stakes earnings to R4 753 600.
Cheveley Stud bred the R100 000 National Yearling Sale purchase. He is by Dynasty out of the Restructure mare, Champers.
What a horse – what a future!
