Legislate strides out at the Met gallops
Original J&B Met favourite Legislate’s owners have agreed that the well-being of their high-class and very valuable son of Dynasty will always come first and if there are any changes for the worst he will not run in Saturday’s Gr1 J&B Met
Speaking on a raceday panel discussion broadcast on Sunday evening on South Africa’s horseracing channel Tellytrack, assistant trainer and Snaith Racing PR man Jono Snaith defended the criticism from various quarters after the 2014 Vodacom Durban July winner had run stone last in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on 10 January.
“The critics said we should have checked him before the race and we in fact did bloods on the Friday. But a lung wash on a horse who looked as well as he did on a Friday before a race is a difficult thing to do,” suggested Snaith.
Jono Snaith
“After the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate pull-up, our jockey Richard Fourie confirmed that Legislate had coughed a good few times. We thought he had bled and our Vet Dave Timpson’s subsequent lung wash revealed mucous, puss and blood. It was awful.”
Snaith said the assistance of a world renowned immunologist – a Dr Holland from the USA – had been elicited and the results had been positive.
“It is remarkable how the infection has cleared and there is only a tiny bit of blood left now,” he said reassuringly.
In his words, he said that he felt Legislate had put up a ‘superb gallop on Thursday.’
“Obviously we could not work a sick horse and can not make up for the work he has lost. That is why I personally feel that Futura is the horse to beat. He has had a great prep in contrast,’ said Snaith.
He said that medication would have to be stopped 5 days prior to the race and Legislate’s work would be closely monitored on Tuesday whereafter another lung wash would be taken.
“At the moment he is a runner, but we will keep the public updated day by day. Hopefully by Friday we will know where we stand.”
