In your opinion what type of pace will Legal Eagle be better suited to?If they say he is suspect over this trip surely they will want to use pace or the lack of it as part of their plan
i dont believe legal eagle is suspect over 2000m.
he has run three 2nd's over 2000m to some very good stuff, two of whom are now plying their trades in england.
he smashed them in the champions trophy over 2000m in 2016.
he is a derby winner.
if he gets beaten on saturday the reason cannot be that he is suspect over 2000m.
wil Hollywood offer the 2nd pick 2 too?? nothing on their site.. and what about a 2nd bipot and p.a or 2nd jackpot.. would be nice to keep the money with Hollywood instead of the stupid tote...
Thought Miyabi Gold's maiden win was classy. She beat pearl jam who came out to win easily as well. Related to Ultimate Dollar who had a few good tussles with St Tropez - Snaith's always aim to win the first one on a big day.
Race 2 - Clouds Unfold 4/1, Royal Italian 16/1
we'll have to see how good the PE horse Carlita is but I thought Clouds Unfold's win was a good one - really seemed to kick on at the end when she knew what to do. Should know more about racing now and should have improved further.
Great debut by Royal Italian and he only went down a short head to Jephthah and gets 3 kgs from that one now. Definitely has a great chance at 16/1 IMO which is very generous.
No bet on him but being a huge Master Of My Fate fan, I hope Twist of Fate can run well too.
Race 3 - Cirillo 6/1
Similar sort of debut to his stable mate Royal Italian - doing his best work late and will come on for the run - looked like Lanza seemed to come onto him in the last few strides so he can turn that form around. Tarry has two good chances to pull off the two Juvenile features with the two Pomodoros.
Really Magical Wonderland was a gift LTO - opened at 7/1 - when she was still unbeaten sprinting. She absolutely won in a common canter. Real electric turn of foot to burst out the pack and Aldo geared her down at the line. She's definitely a top, top sprinter. This is much harder though - Kasimir, Sand & Sea, Dutch Phillip and Lobo's Legend all have livewire chances and are top horses in their own right.
Since its the first time she's taking on boys, we'll have to see if she's good enough.
Just draw a line through Dutch Phillip's last run - way too far back and had some traffic issues. He showed in his penultimate start he trained on from his stellar 2yo career. Wide draw isn't ideal but he is a top sort on his day. He's beaten Kasimir a few times although I do think the latter is a better 3yo.
Hard for me to leave Kasimir as I do think he will go close to winning but I slightly prefer the other two - boxed exactas might be the way to play it.
Race 5 - No Bet
Ahh my best bet of the day was supposed to come up here just as last year when William Longsword put them to the sword but unfortunately Talk Of The Town got injured and is withdrawn. I guess Cot Campbell is the most likely winner as it's a pretty weak bunch now but is a bit too short for me now.
Race 6 - Trip to Heaven 11/2
Always liked this horse and he's been a real star throughout his career. Never a dull moment with his antics at the start. Has been unlucky not to win a grade 1 losing the Gold Challenge on objection and just failing to get up in this last year. While he may not be improving, if he reproduces the same run as last year there's no reason he won't go close here and at 11/2 - he's definitely worth a bet.
Race 7 - White River 4/1, Do It Again 14/1
Wow it was hard to go against Tap 'O Noth - I usually don't go against a horse that keeps on winning when I back them but it really looked like White River was unlucky in the Guineas. It could be exactly the opposite and TON could prove his class and hold them off again but White River's finish in his last two runs have been amazing. It looks like he'll get the trip - will TON? I know MJ is confident but there must be a slight doubt although his half brother Strathdon stays all day.
Do It Again obviously disappointed in the Guineas. But like Sir Frenchie came out and win after a similar dismal effort, draw a line IMO. He dwelt again at the start and was really never settled. He's always looked a Derby horse and is crying out for the trip - he proved his class when he finished very close behind White River in the Selangor. I snapped up the very enticing opening price of 14/1 and now he's halved in price.
Race 8 - Just Sensual 9/1, Premier Dance 50/1
Just fun bets. We all know this is the SNOWDANCE stakes but I don't back singles under 1/1 no matter the horse.
Race 9 - Marinaresco 5/1, Last Winter 10/1, Captain America 14/1
I'm hoping there's a pace on for Marinaresco - but there probably won't be. A strong pace and a clear passage - he will win - however racing isn't run on paper so he'll have to make do. Whether he gets there in time, I really don't know - I was so confident in last years Met and we know how he failed to quicken there but then we saw what he can do on his day in the July. Let's hope the right Marinaresco turns up as he's not as consistent as the Champion Legal Eagle for example where you know what you get.
Last Winter has a nightmare draw but a master on top who just recently won the July from draw 20. If anyone can do it, its striker. Most unexposed horse in the field. Loved the way he quickened last time and let's be honest he should still be unbeaten. Is he good enough? Tomorrow will tell us but it isn't the be all end all for him as I think he'll definitely win a feature in the future.
I can't ignore a sneaky bet on the big Captain - what an honest horse. Love him to bits and we know how strong he is and how hard he is to shake off in a finish. Will be ridden with more restraint and unlike early in his career, he has no problems staying the 2000.
Really looking forward to tomorrow even though Talk of the Town is scratched but good racing all round.
Last edit: 7 years 4 months ago by MasterOfMyFate.
The following user(s) said Thank You: PeterD, Andycap, Magi, Sweet Coetzee, The Grey, drdom, Felix
Nothing to add as far as the horses chances in most of the races. LE the benchmark, Marineresco looked magnificent at the LQP etc. but hoping in some races new superstars reveal their credentials.
Main Roughie for me will be Brutal Force in the CFC. Some loyalty but some observation. Even his decent races since his year of after colic etc. , he looked to be shortening strides at the death over 1200m. Obviously well below best. However, decent runs over 1000m, will be fit, and if JR can get him feeling well I think he is at best the second most talented horse in the field (Trip to Heaven must be no. 1). So, providing he feels well , he could be right up there for what may be his finale.
Best of luck all! Hope those attending have a great day with no disturbance and that the international audience in HK get to see the better side of SA racing.
A marathon card and a pumping southeaster forecast.
Race 1: A competitive handicap to start the day. I would have fancied Freedom Charter’s chances, but she now gets a run in the CTS 1600m. Platinum Class has been priced up favourite after a good win last time after a few indifferent performances. While she deserves to be favourite I think there is little value in 22/10 and will be looking to roll her. Miyabi Gold scratched. Pearl Jam wide draw but very progressive and may be the one.
Race 2: We are fortunate to have two runners which both put up good debuts. Richard had the choice between Lanza and Twin Falls. He has gone with the colt as he ran close up second whereas the filly has a 3kg winners penalty. Both have come on from their debuts and although drawn on the outside must be considered serious runners. Stablemate Princess Elsa is very quick and if not too green could challenge under a low weight. Carlita was impressive in PE and must be respected. Clouds Unfold also a good winner, as was stablemate Western Angel. Ramsden has four decent runners, of which Cash Call and Carioca may be best at the weights. Royal Italian should turn the tables on Jephthah in receipt of 3 kg. A really tough start to the bipot.
Race 3: Another difficult juvenile race. I fancy the fillies Urban Oasis and Queen of the Dance to upset the colts. Lucky Dancer and Cirillo look the best of the raced colts, but Quick Star may just live up to his name.
Race 4: Magical Wonderland a banker for me. Unbeaten in sprints. Dutch Philip is her main danger. Green Plains has been off form but is very capable if at best. Sand and Sea and Kasimir include in trifectas and quartets.
Race 5: Cot Campbell is the one to beat, but price is too skinny in a competitive race. Captain and Master and Rocket Countdown have wide draws to contend with but if they get some luck in the running are capable. Undercover Agent cracks a nice draw and is much better than his last effort from a wide draw. Ancestry has been a bit off form this term but has the class to win. Vacquero has useful Gauteng form, as does Aurelia Cotta but tough draws. I’m happy that Freedom Charter gets a run, but realistically has little chance from the outside draw.
Race 6: WFA contests should be easy, but this is not as we have improving 3yos against a number of talented but in many cases inconsistent older horses. Sergeant Hardy is a dangerous front runner and if he gets away down the inside rail, will be hard to peg back. Trip to Heaven is the best horse in the race but his antics at the start have cost him many a race. Search Party tries blinkers and they may do the trick. It’s hard to separate the three younger horses but any of them could show the necessary improvement.
Race 7: Eyes Wide Open returned to form with a bang last time and I think that he is a value bet at 4/1. Tap O Noth is classy, but I’m not sure that he will be as effective this trip. White River and Like a Panther were running on well in the Guineas and should again challenge. Pack Leader was not far off EWO last season and things did not go his way in the Guineas. The 3yo fillies are a smart lot this year and Fresnaye could upstage the boys. Box these 6 in the quartet.
Race 8: it’s very hard to oppose Snowdance, and she is a logical banker in the pick 6. Silvan Star prep has gone well for this race unlike the Paddock Stakes, and I expect her to run in the first 3 despite the wide draw. Just Sensual is very classy and should earn a cheque. Final Judgement is doing well at home but was very disappointing in PE and although she gets a prime draw, she will have to improve to feature.
Race 9: I will obviously be shouting for Last Winter, but from a wide draw he will have to get lucky and will have to keep improving to win this. His price is now a bit more sensible. Marinaresco is the one to beat over this trip. Legal Eagle has his best chance ever of winning the Met this year at level weights. Gold Standard ran a great race last year, and if back to best is a serious contender. Captain America and Sail South are consistent but may again just fall short. Copper Force is hard to assess- if the QP form can be relied upon then he is a runner. African Night Sky did not beat much in the winter series, but it was still a good achievement and he is an improving 4yo with a top jockey and a fair draw, and could run in the money.
The rest of the runners, in my view are just making up numbers. The price on Oh Susanna in particular is a joke.
Race 10: A tricky race. Alghadeer makes the trip from PE and looks value at 10/1. Others with chances include Fortissima, Mr Winsome, Master’s Eye and Ollivander.
Race 11: No selection
Race 12: Another open race. Hithimagainchuck and Pillar of Hercules ran fair races on QP day, and are again well in here.
Race 13: Sun at Midnight won nicely last time and is very consistent. She is again in with a shout in a very open race. If Hoist the Mast runs she just has to repeat her run in the Southern Cross to win, but the stable has problems and has already scratched many of their runners.
Last edit: 7 years 4 months ago by PeterD.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Frodo, Andycap, kt6747, Tomtomq, sparta1966, kreezy
