There were some fantastic performances on Classic Day with Legal Eagle (speed score 115) yet again proving that he is about as good as racehorses get in South Africa when romping in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. The son of Grey’s Inn repeatedly runs high class figs in the band between 112-116 and is unstoppable over a mile, being able to race handy at a good gallop then quicken up smartly, which makes it virtually impossible for toiling rivals to get past. Stable mate French Navy (s/s 111) did really well to get second, on what turned out a brilliant day for their trainer Sean Tarry.
The champion conditioner won the first six races on the card with Exquisite Touch (s/s 102) particularly impressive when blitzing foes in the Man O War Sprint. In the Protea Stakes, Barrack Street (s/s 90 +) did the right thing for favourite backers when comfortably beating off Laurent du Var (s/s 88) suggesting that Tarry’s juvenile runner also has exciting prospects.
The SA Fillies Classic produced the most thrilling finish: Orchid Island (s/s 99) scrambled in from a luckless, Safe Harbour (s/s 99) with Bipot, Belle Rose and Oriental Oak all close up attaining 98’s. The winner was sent out from Mike de Kock’s barn – his team also won the SA Classic for boys when classy grey, Heavenly Blue (s/s 108) swept through down the inner to defeat Al Sahem (s/s 103). Heavenly Blue was written up in an earlier column as the likely Classic victor and is definately worth following in big races based on these notable speed scores he is recording as a three year old.
Results in Cape Town were somewhat unpredictable. Icon King (s/s 97) fooled punters by going gun to tape in a Pinnacle Stakes at long odds. Held in high esteem from the start of his career by trainer Mike Stewart, this racy Rebel King chestnut could be worth following through the Winter when pitched in at the right level.
Summer Sky (s/s 102) has benefitted from gelding. Coming back from four months off, he trounced MR 86 level foes at Scottsville on Sunday and will win more. In an earlier race, speedster Jo’s Bond (s/s 99) also came out fresh and firing after a break to defeat Elusivenchantment in the KwaZulu Stakes.”