Legal Eagle is set to begin his regular journey to success
Legal Eagle, South Africa’s highest merit rated runner, returns to the track tomorrow night at Turffontein ahead of his summer campaign.
Legal Eagle has completed the 1600m Green Point/Queen’s Plate/Horse Chestnut Stakes treble the last two seasons, starting his preparation at this time of year. He’s still the top-rated horse in the land and if there’s a reason he can’t go on to do the same again, trainer Sean Tarry is not aware of it.
Per custom, Legal Eagle wintered on a farm, came back in spring and is ready to resume his programme. Tarry told Turf Talk: “He is looking unbelievable. This is the same sprint we had him in last year and we’ll be looking for a good comeback effort. He is sound and enthusiastic, it’s hard to fault him. He will be going the Green Point/Queen’s Plate route again.”
Tarry’s leading three-year-old colts Chimichuri Run and Cirillo both have the CTS races on Sun Met day earmarked for them, but may go along different routes. Tarry said: “Cirillo will be running in the CTS Ready To Run Stakes at Kenilworth on 24 November, from there into the Guineas and Sun Met day.
I’m not sure yet what avenue we’ll take with Chimichuri Run. I’ve nominated him for the CTS November Ready To Run and a race at Turffontein on the same day, 24 November. We will finalise our plans.”
The yard’s champion filly Return Flight will not be travelling to Cape Town. “She’ll be going for the Fillies Mile on 24 November at Turffontein and we’ll then prepare her with a view to the 2019 Triple Tiara.”
Grade 2 Golden Slipper winner Celtic Sea will also be racing in the Fillies Mile. She finished well beaten and unplaced in the recent Grade 3 Starling Stakes, but Tarry offered an explanation, saying: “Celtic Sea was drawn wide and was affected by a runner easing back and became detached from the field. I’d say that that was a valid reason for her running below par.”
The stable’s 2017 Summer Cup winner Liege and French Navy, the stalwart top-level performer, will be racing in the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes tomorrow night and Tarry commented: “I was happy with Liege’s recent comeback run. He was only four lengths off in a strong handicap and this run will bring him to his peak.
“French Navy’s rating dropped after a few below-par runs last season but he wasn’t at his best. He’s a horse with ability and he’s not done yet, I’m hoping he can run past a few Summer Cup contenders so he can sneak into the Summer Cup.
“Social Order has had two good preps, his last run to Coral Fever in the Charity Mile was superb and he will be cherry ripe on Summer Cup Day. Tilbury Fort is much the same. He was unlucky to have lost to Coral Fever and he’s right on target for the Cup. –
Betting on the Victory Moon Stakes 4-1 Like A Panther 9-2 Takingthepeace 6-1 Arctica 13-2 Deo Juvente 15-2 Dawn Assault, Sabina's Dynasty, Zouaves 14-1 Full Mast 18-1 and upwards others
Betting on the Gardenia Stakes 7-10 Green Plains 11-2 Kissable, Wrecking Ball 8-1 Hashtag Strat 9-1 Covered In Snow 12-1 Rose In Bloom 16-1 Winter Watch 25-1 and upwards others Betting provided by Betting World and is subject to change.