Lobo’s Legend shows his class

THE R2 million Grade 1 SA Classic at Turffontein over 1800m produced a shock winner, the Joey Soma-trained Trippi colt Lobo’s Legend, ridden by Muzi Yeni.

The race was marred by the fall of Anthony Delpech on the tote favourite Majestic Mambo, who was moving like a winner when almost brought down as he tried to go through a gap.

Takingthepeace

The Mike de Kock-trained Takingthepeace added the second leg of the Triple Tiara to her name when winning the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic under Callan Murray and it was another dream come true for young owners Murray Makepeace, Mike Shea and assistant trainer Mathew de Kock.

Lobo’s Legend was a onetime winner, had not run beyond 1200m, had not been around the turn and had not run in a black type event.

Soma’s yard had been dwindled down to a few horses after the dispersal sales of his chief owner, Mayfair Speculators.

Lobo’s Legend’s connections could not have been too confident when the horse threw his head up in the first few strides, but Yeni settled him well.

In the straight his long stride took him to the front by the 350m mark.

The fancied Surcharge had used up a lot of energy early overcoming a wide draw and despite his gallant effort never looked likely to catch Lobo’s Legend.

Towards the outside Majestic Mambo had been scything through the field like a hot knife through butter when he faltered while preparing to go through a gap between the slowing Greek Fire and Noble Secret at about the 350m mark.

Delpech was dislodged from the saddle.

The reigning champion jockey was reportedly in a lot of pain, but was conscious and lucid and was taken to hospital for observation.

Surcharge was a 1,5 length second ahead of the De Kock pair Like A Panther and Noble Secret and the KZN raider Roy Had Enough was fifth.

The Visionaire filly Takingthepeace came from last as she had in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas to snare Green Top on the line in the SA Fillies Classic with Secret Potion third. KZN raider Fiorella ran fourth with Folk Dance fifth.

Legal Eagle

The Sean Tarry-trained superstar Legal Eagle landed his sixth weight for age Grade 1 mile event when winning the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes for the third time, holding on narrowly from the De Kock-trained Nother Russia.

Legal Eagle is unbeaten nine starts over a mile. in