Legal Eagle favourite for Challenge

Legal Eagle has been priced up at 2-1 to win the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein on Saturday 5 May.

Sean Tarry’s charge won this R4-million race over 2000m in 2016 but was touched off by Deo Juvente in last year’s event. Nother Russia was a short head back in third.

Second favourite is Majestic Mambo who could possibly also be an entry for the R2-million SA Derby (Grade 1) over 2400m.

Triple Crown winner in 2016, Abashiri, is next at 7-1 with Nother Russia at 9-1. Deo Juvente has been entered for the race and is a 45-1 shot at this stage.

This race has base weights according to age groups and then a 2kg penalty for Grade 1 winners and a 1kg penalty for a Grade 2 winner. That win has to have taken place 18 months prior to the date of issuing of weights.

Fillies and mares are given a 2.5kg allowance subject to a minimum weight of 50kg. There will be no penalties after the publication of the weights.

Second entries close at 11am on Tuesday 27 March, third entries close at 11am on Tuesday 17 April after which the weights will be announced.

Declarations must be filed by 11am on Wednesday 25 April.

The draws and final field will be announced at a function later.

Betting on the R4-million President’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday 5 May: 2-1 Legal Eagle; 11-2 Majestic Mambo; 7-1 Abashiri; 9-1 Nother Russia; 10-1 Greek Fire; 12-1 Liege; 14-1 Glider Pilot; 18-1 Fort Ember; 20-1 Brazuca; 22-1 Bi Pot, Safe Harbour; 28-1 Girl On The Run; 33-1 Orchid Island; 35-1 French Navy; 45-1 Deo Juvente, Coral Fever; 60-1 Pagoda; 66-1 Kilrain.