The Cape summer racing season culminates at Kenilworth Saturday with the G1 J&B Met over 2000 meters. The Cape's premier race has stood the test of time and this year's renewal is one of its strongest, headed by Horse of the Year and defending winner Futura (SAf) (Dynasty {Saf}). The Justin Snaith trainee ran an uncharacteristically flat race in the recent G1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, finishing fifth. The entire meets most of his regular rivals at level weights and he will have to up his performance if he is to record back-to-back victories. Regular jockey Bernard Fayd'Herbe is in the saddle and Futura, carrying 60kgs, jumps from barrier six.
Stable companion Legislate (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}) renews his longstanding rivalry with Futura and with neither successful in the Queen's Plate, the winning tally is still three victories to two in favour of Legislate. Senior jock Piere Strydom is back aboard Legislate, who ran on late to snatch second in the Queen's Plate. Drawn in barrier four and carrying 60kgs, Legislate is out to revenge his trouncing by Futura in last year's Met.
Sandwiched between the two in barrier five is Captain America (SAf) (Captain Al{Saf}). Trained by Brett Crawford, the ever-consistent Captain America can be relied upon to be fighting out the finish under regular jockey Corne Orffer. Since being gelded Captain America has blossomed and recorded a very respectable fourth in the Queen's Plate despite losing several lengths and a shoe at the start after stumbling out of the gate. Captain America is another who has been allotted top weight of 60kgs.
Their biggest competition is expected to come from the Sean Tarry-trained Legal Eagle (SAf) (Greys Inn). The 4-year-old gets 0.5kgs from his older adversaries and has the added advantage of jumping from barrier three. Despite running left-handed for the first time in the Queen's Plate, Legal Eagle recorded a convincing 1.5-length victory and regular jockey Anton Marcus suggested that the colt will definitely come on from that run.
The main danger to the boys is Smart Call (SAf) (Ideal World), the only filly in the race. The Mauritzfontein Stud-owned homebred impressed in the G1 Paddock S. three weeks ago when beating recent G1 Majorca S. winner Inara (SAf) (Trippi) by two lengths. Regular jockey Weichong Marwing has been stood down due to back problems and as yet no replacement has been announced.
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