Legislate starts comeback in barrier trial
IT seldom happens that a barrier trial attracts more attention than the racing its self but the presence of former Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate in today’s barrier trial at Scottsville should have pundits lining the paddock fence.
Unfortunately, former Daily News 2000 winner Rabada, who was also due to make an appearance after a nearly two-year absence, has been scratched after pulling up lame at home.
Legislate proved infertile at stud hence his reappearance on the race track and there is plenty of big racing and lucrative stakes to be had ahead this Champions Season.
While a barrier trial is hardly a definitive indication of a horse’s fitness, they are still public gallops and watchers can make of them what they will.
Another first on the day, and possibly a world first, will see a horse trained by Ormond Ferraris, owned by his son David and ridden by grandson Luke line up in the third.
Autumn Rain comes off some fairly useful Highveld form and, after a slow start where he took 26 rides to get off the mark, young Luke has been in good form, winning six races in the past month, his first two winners coming courtesy of grandfather Ormond.
The Scottsville turf has been hallowed ground over the past couple of months, a combination of weather and programming, leaving the surface relatively unscathed and trainers have lined their horses up in droves to take advantage with the majority of the eight races attracting maximum fields that should keep punters honest.
Autumn Rain
Autumn Rain is around 11-2 for the opening leg of the Pick 6 but he will need to get past ruling favourite Bronzed.
Glen Kotzen’s colt make marked improvement at his second outing in a Juvenile Plate, coming from way back in heavy going to finish a length off the winner Immortelle.
Bronzed is on offer around 18-10 by Track And Ball and could spoil the Ferraris party.
Paul Lafferty sends out Majestic Glory in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and his Australianbred finished out of the money for the first time when tried on the Greyville poly track last time out where he was up with the pace throughout but caught for a finish to run just over a length back to Fillipo. He steps up in trip and down in class and should have a big say.
Top weight, On That Boulevard, has his first outing for Tony Rivalland but had shown plenty of promise under Charles Laird before he retired and handed in his trainer’s licence.
On That Boulevard jumped from a maiden win to winning in a tough handicap at just his third outing and with Ferraris taking 4kg off his back he could prove the biggest threat to Majestic Glory although this is a wide-open affair.
Gary Rich has done an outstanding job getting the quirky Don Pierro to the race course, let alone win as he did last time out.
The form of that race has not worked out that well, but Don Pierro is lightly raced and has ability so could come up trumps at decent odds in the fifth, another difficult handicap where the dangers are many.
Cat’s Legacy
Top weight Cat’s Legacy has dropped five pounds in the ratings and is also down a division so in spite of lumping top weight he looks a serious threat to the selection.
Grandfather and grandson team up with Querari Falcon that has been something of a disappointment after promising much in his early career.
That said, although he only has two wins to his credit, he has consistent form and is never far back.
He is a must inclusion in all exotic bets.