Legal Eagle’s flawless record over 1600m was maintained, albeit in a desperate finish to the G2 Green Point Stakes where just a head separated the first four at the wire. This was the third year in succession that the son of Grey’s Inn has prevailed in this particular race, over his favorite distance. The champ generally runs around 113 – 115, but the slow early pace restricted the adjusted final time figure on Saturday to just 100 +.
Still, he can do no more than win, and under a perfectly judged ride by Anton Marcus, he ran a 23.4 last 400m to finish sectional in fighting off the persistent challenge of Undercover Agent, a determined rails’ run by Do It Again and the late rally on the outside of Rainbow Bridge. The 2nd,3rd and 4th horses all emerged with great credit from their efforts and will be principal contenders in upcoming features.
Princess Rebel is by out of fashion stallion, Rebel King, yet that does not stop her from running like the wind. She had twice scored 97’s in comfortable victories in P.E. and again proved too swift, this time for stronger Western Cape opposition, to lift the 1000m Southern Cross Stakes (G2).
The fast track and lack of headwind helped her cause as she cleared off with a fine speed figure of 103 from a chasing Nous Voila (s/s 96.) Credit is due to trainer, Yvette Bremner and Carl Hewitson who raided the Highveld successfully with National Park last month, and pulled off another ”away win” here with Princess Rebel.
Gimme One Night came from the back of the field (35.7 600m – finish come home fraction) to win the G3 Cape Summer Stayers over 2500m under Lyall Hewitson, earlier successful using catch-me-if-you-can tactics on Princess Rebel. Such versatility and precise pace judgement have characterized Hewitson’s rise to the top of the jockey ranks.
Star filly, Snowdance was untroubled winning her prep run from the front – another to win using pace -pressing tactics was Magic Mike (s/s 95.) The strong son of Twice Over is worth following. He destroyed a decent field by galloping hard from a long way out and should go on to win multiple races.