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South Africa is all set for probably the greatest racing day in its history on January 28 at Kenilworth and the lucrative card is headed by the R5m, Grade 1 Sun Met (2000m).
A quality field of fifteen was announced for The Met and adding spice was the declaration of legendary jockey Frankie Dettori to ride the Joey Ramsden-trained Vodacom Durban July winner The Conglomerate (AUS).
The reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle is one of six horses who will be carrying a 2kg Grade 1 penalty. The five-year-old gelding is probably at his very best over 1600m, but is comfortable over this 2000m trip too, so considering his good early pace, his exceptional turn of foot and ability to find another gear when challenged, he will be hard to beat.
Mac De Lago (AUS), The Conglomerate, Marinaresco, It’s My Turn and Bela-Bela are the others carrying Grade 1 penalties.
Mac De Lago was beaten 3.9 lengths by Legal Eagle in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m and is now 2kg worse off.
The Conglomerate was receiving 4kg from Mac De Lago in the July and beat him by only 2.25 lengths, so he also looks held. This is confirmed by his failure to win the Grade 1 handicap, Sansui Summer Cup, off a merit rating of 106.
Marinaresco disappointed in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, but comes from a yard who are renowned for peaking their charges for their target races. The Met is this horse’s right trip and he has a massive chance when considering his July run where he came from an impossible position to lose by only 0.25 lengths.
Bela-Bela finished three lengths behind Smart Call in last year’s Grade 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the latter went on to beat Legal Eagle by 3.5 lengths in The Met. In her only previous run against the boys she finished a 2.65 length sixth in the July and if weight-for-age is taken into account is now effectively 3.5kg better off with The Conglomerate.
It’s My Turn was a comfortable winner of last year’s Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby over course and distance and has enjoyed a fine preparation. He should be coming into his own being a four-year-old gelding by Dynasty and with expected further improvement from his 2.4 length third in the Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap he should make his presence felt.
However, Whisky Baron (AUS) could well be the main danger to Legal Eagle. He has improved continuously since gelding and his comfortable win in the Peninsula suggested that he is still unexposed. He receives 2kg from the favourite and will be a big threat.
Captain America is an honest sort who has 4.5 lengths to make up on Legal Eagle from last year’s race. However, he will be getting a 2kg pull in his favour as his only Grade 1 win happened more than 18 months ago.
The dark horse is undoubtedly Gold Standard, who is the only three-year-old in the race. He finished 0.5 lengths behind William Longsword in the Grade 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas and this big and bold pair were not 3.25 lengths clear of the rest of the field by fluke. Gold Standard should relish the 2000m trip on pedigree.
French Navy has plenty of class and, as his Grade 1 win was more than 18 months ago, he is now 2kg better off with Legal Eagle for a 2.1 length beating in the Premier’s Champions Challenge.
Brazuca was a 3.8 length fifth in the Peninsula and faces Whisky Baron on the same terms. However, he will now be having his third run after a rest and is 2kg better off with Its My Turn for a two length beating in last year’s Cape Derby.
Baritone had a curtailed SA Champions Season and the best might not yet have been seen of him.
Cape Speed, Mambo Mime and MacDuff (AUS) are all decent sorts and distance suited, but they would need to step up on their form to be factors.
