A ‘Nother’ Eagle clash
CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE: FIERCE RIVALS DRAW WELL FOR BIG REMATCH
Abashiri putting in good work at home.
The next mouth-watering meeting between Legal Eagle and Nother Russia is all set to take place in the R4-million Premier’s Champion Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The Champions Challenge is one of three Grade 1 races to be run on Champions Day when racing will take place on the Standside track. The others are the R2-million SA Derby over 2450m for three-year-olds and the R1million Computaform Sprint over 1000m.
Legal Eagle is by far the best handicapped runner and has at least a 4kg weight advantage over his rivals. Next best are a group of fillies and mares. Second best jointly are Nother Russia and Silvan Star with Fort Ember next best at a further 1kg disadvantage.
The question these days is whether Legal Eagle stays a stiff 2000m. Last year he was touched off by Deo Juvente with Nother Russia in third.
On Classic Day Legal Eagle and Nother Russia met in in the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m, a distance over which Legal Eagle is unbeaten in eight starts, and she ran him to a neck.
He has not run since but Nother Russia did contest the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m last weekend where she took off late to beat Al Danza by 0.40 lengths.
Trainer Sean Tarry has no doubt his charge will stay the 2000m and points out he did win the Derby as a three-year-old over 2450m in the wet. He also won this race two years ago and was just touched off last year.
“He’s very well right now and I’m delighted he’ll jump from No 4 draw,” said Tarry last week. “And he will stay.”
Mike de Kock, however, believes his charge will give Legal Eagle a run for his money. “No question he is the horse they all have to beat. One of the things I like about Nother Russia is she never gives up.”
He admitted that having her fourth race in the space of six weeks could be a problem but she has come through her last two wins very well. “She battled in the last one over 1600m but I don’t see any problem with 2000m.
“I think she’s a lot better than she was last year but she will have to give some horses weight this time. Silvan Star was just 1.70 lengths behind her last week and is now 2kg better off.”
Nother Russia jumps from No 6 barrier position.
Abashiri’s last victory was at this meeting two years back when he won the SA Derby and captured the Triple Crown. “He’s putting in some good work at home and we’re expecting a decent run,” said trainer Mike Azzie.
Fields for the other races will be finalised on Monday.