The Sun Met-one of for the money
FAVOURITE Legal Eagle is the horse to beat in the R5 million Sun Met celebrated with Mumm over 2 000m on Saturday, said Rouvaun Smit, leading South African commentator.
“As things stand on paper, theoretically, Legal Eagle should win the race.”
On Thursday, Legal Eagle was drawn at barrier number nine.
“He is in the prime position to decide whether he is going to go to the front or come from off the pace like he did in the Queen’s Plate,” said Smit.
“At this point, having a look at the full field, whoever beats Legal Eagle will win the race. I know the jockey himself (Anton Marcus) has great respect for Marinaresco, who has drawn two. He’ll be in a favourable position to be able to give him a run for his money.
“The horse that everyone else is touting about is Whisky Baron. He has drawn barrier number 8, right alongside Legal Eagle.”
According to Smit, the way the conditions of the race look and the way that the draw has been completed, only one of three horses can win it: Legal Eagle, Marinaresco or Whisky Baron.
Bela-Bela (with jockey Anthony Delpech) is the only filly in the race. “Last year a filly won. She probably has as good a chance as any other filly in this race to win it.
“Very seldom you’ll find fillies going for The Met, because there is a race on the day, The Majorca, which is primed at Grade 1 level fillies. Obviously the connections think that she has a chance of winning it. That’s why they put her in the race.”
Smit said that the pools are huge. “As a first-time better, I don’t think you can hurt yourself if you’re going to take R50 and put it on Legal Eagle, because of the volume of money that’s going to be in the pool.
“They’re looking at in excess of R5 million in the win pool alone. So, you are guaranteed to more than double your money if the favourite does win.”