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Durban July winner Legislate is in good shape and on course to start in the J & B Met at Kenilworth on Saturday.
That was the message from cautious trainer Justin Snaith after a public gallop last Thursday that indicated Legislate he was over the infection that contributed to his shock last in the G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth three weeks ago.
Snaith reported that Legislate scoped well after the gallop.
“Legislate has made considerable improvement and looks likely to make the J&B Met but a final decision will be based on another workout and subsequent tests,” Snaith said.
“He will only run if there is no risk on the horse.
“There are so many variables and anything can go wrong even an hour beforehand. A lot of horses have their little niggles and you never know until you get to the race.
“The good thing with Legislate is that I know what was wrong with him. I’m doing my best to make sure I have him ready but the proof of whether I’ve got him right will be in the result.”
Legislate, from being an odds on favourite to win the Met, is now third favourite behind Queens Plate winner Futura and last year’s Triple Crown winner Louis The King.
Snaith, chasing his first win the Met, has 40% of the field, giving him the numbers to dictate the tactics.
“The tactics will be very important and a slow pace would suit me beautifully. I’ve got six in the race and the other runners are welcome to chase around mine,” he said.
“Any of them could run into the money on Saturday. Jet Explorer is doing well and he is cruising into the race.
“We will know on Saturday whether Dynamic is up to this class but I already know that when you put him in a Group 1 he can up his game.
“Arion ran third to Legislate in the Cape Derby and was actually finishing just as fast.
“Johnny Rockets is a horse with a lot of problems but he can run and the one thing I will say for Astro News is he has had a hassle-free entry.
“There have been two upsets in the last two years so why not a third?”
In The G1 Cape Derby Joey Ramsden’s star 3YO Act Of War is set to start an odds-on favourite.
Cape Guineas winner Act Of War is favoured ahead of Mike de Kock’s Ertijaal for the Derby with another Ramsden entry The Conglomerate next best in the betting.