Eleni looks best at the Vaal
Betting World, at the time of writing, has three joint favourites trading at 4-1 for this year’s Sun Met on Saturday 27 January – Legal Eagle, Marinaresco and Last Winter. With final field for the showdown being announced yesterday, at first glance picking a winner appears very tricky as there are plenty with chances. The weight-for-age conditions will provide Equus Champion Horse-Of-TheYear Legal Eagle (who carries 60kg) with his best chance at winning the Met, a race that’s eluded him over the past two years. Last Winter (59.5kg) could prove better than currently rated and will be ridden by Piere Strydom as Anthony Delpech will ride Cascapedia. Marinaresco had a superb Met prep in the Queen’s Plate, finishing fifth and beaten just 0.90 lengths. Trainer Justin Snaith sends out a fivepronged attack in this 20-horse field, with Winter Series hero African Night Sky (currently 9-1) appearing to be to be the stable elect as Bernard Fayd’Herbe rids. Copper Force (12-1) could be worth an eachway chance following an eye-catching second in the Queen’s Plate. There will be support for Paddock Stakes winner Oh Susanna (8-1) who, with just 51.5kg on her back, could steal the show for Snaith. De Kock saddles Heavenly Blue (201), Cascapedia (10-1) and Nother Russia (22-1). With respect to Cascapedia who has done nothing wrong, Nother Russia is better than her last outing and should improve. Heavenly Blue skipped the Queen’s Plate and ran mid field in his latest. He will have come on for that run. There is racing at the Vaal today and following three consecutive seconds, Eleni’s consistency could finally be rewarded when she runs at the Vaal today. She was beaten 1.30 lengths by Schippers in her latest effort. If anything, it’s written in the stars for this Erico Verdonese-trained filly to win when she lines up in Race 2, a FM Maiden Plate over 1200m on the Outside track. That last form line has worked out well considering it boasts a winner in fifth placed Awfaa who won easily at Turffontein on Saturday. On form Eleni should have no trouble outrunning her foes, plus she reunites with long-time collaborator, the in-form Gunter Wrogemann.