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Trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Richard Fourie recorded a historic double at Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Saturday.
Legislate won the R2 million, Gr. 1 Daily News 2000 for three-year-olds over 2000m, while stable companion, In The Fast Lane romped home in the fillies equivalent, the R1 million, Gr.1 Woolavington 2000 over 2000m.
Legislate(SAF)(Dynasty{SAF}), winner of the Gr. 1 Investec Cape Derby and the Gr. 2 KRA Guineas, certainly did not have it all his own way, as the imposing colt had to survive a stewards’ enquiry and a photo-finish decision, before claiming his second Grade 1 victory.
From barrier 11 regular rider, Richard Fourie, dropped Legislate out and the colt settled at the rear of the field with second favourite, Louis The King(Kevin Shea), who received a knock at the start, forcing him to drop back.
Up front the order remained unchanged as Weichong Marwing on As You Like led the field into the home straight, with Captain America(Glen Hatt) stalking the leader in third. Hatt was content to wait until the final bend, before charging into the lead on the long-striding Captain America, forcing Fourie to send Legislate forward. In a matter of strides, running eight wide, the colt quickly caught up with Captain America.
Racing up the standside rail, with Rake’s Chestnut on his inside, Legislate inexplicably veered sharply across the track, ending up on the inside rail. Rake’s Chestnut chased hard up the standside rail, but the line came in time for Legislate, with the colt getting the nod in a photo finish.
The official margin was 0.05 lengths with Louis The King a further 1.25 lengths back in third. The winning time was 123.07 seconds on the Good track.
By Dynasty(SAF) out of Champers(SAF)(Restructure{IRE}), Legislate recorded his second Gr.1 victory and his fourth victory overall for owners Mr W J C Mitchell, Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) & Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D E Evans).
The R1 million, Gr.1 Woolavington 2000 was a much more pedestrian affair, as In The Fast Lane(SAF)(Jet Master{SAF}), kicked clear in the home straight and was never in any doubt of being headed.
Admiral’s Eye and Anton Marcus jumped best and took the early lead with In The Fast Lane and Richard Fourie settling in second. Fourie waited patiently until the home straight before asking In The Fast Lane to join the charge up front and with 200m to go the filly skipped clear.
With none of the challengers making any inroads into the filly’s lead, a delighted Fourie celebrated in style as they crossed the line 1.25 lengths clear of Kevin Shea on Athina. Touch The Sky(Gavin Lerena) charged up late for third, a further 0.75 lengths back. The winning time was 125.14 seconds on the Good track.
By Jet Master(SAF) out of First Arrival(SAF)(Northern Guest{USA}), In The Fast Lane recorded her fifth victory from ten starts for owners Tony Philips and Wood Hall Stud Ltd (Nom: Andrew L Cohen).
Trainer Justin Snaith was justifiably delighted, as In The Fast Lane, winner of the Gr.1 Avontuur Fillies Guineas, had taken the move to KwaZulu-Natal badly and had failed to thrive since her arrival. Clearly, the daughter of Jet Master is back to her best and Snaith hinted at a possible international campaign.
