Showdown Looms In Queen's Plate

By Liesl King

In a first for South Africa, the traditional blue and white themed L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Day becomes a two-day Festival this year and day two on Saturday sees the 156th running of the R1.5 million WFA G1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate over 1600m on turf. It is considered to be the country's premier race over a mile with a long history of producing champions and this year promises to be no exception. An epic showdown looms as two champions, the 5-year-old multiple Grade 1 winner Legal Eagle (SAf) (Greys Inn) and the 4-year-old Grade 1 winner and G1 Vodacom Durban July runner up Marinaresco (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}) battle for supremacy.

The Sean Tarry trained Legal Eagle, with eight victories and four places from 14 starts, dominated the 2016 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, before finishing second in the G1 J & B Met to the filly Smart Call (SAf) (Ideal World). As a then 3-year-old, Marinaresco did not contest either race, but stepped into the limelight with two strong Group 3 victories during the Cape winter season. Thus earning himself a trip to Durban, where he flew home late in the G1 Vodacom Durban July (2200m) for a scintillating second, before claiming his first Grade 1 victory in the Champions Cup (1800m) at Greyville. The two stars recently met for the first time in the G2 Green Point S. over 1600m at Kenilworth at the beginning of December. Legal Eagle, jumping from barrier three had the run of the race, while Marinaresco, drawn in barrier six encountered traffic problems. Known for his incredible finishing burst, the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Marinaresco flew up late, but could only manage second, 0.4 lengths behind Legal Eagle. As the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate is a weight-for-age race, the two will meet at level weights, both carrying 60kgs. Legal Eagle will have the services of his regular rider Anton Marcus and is drawn in barrier three. Marinaresco on the other hand has again incurred the wrath of the draw gods, as he will be jumping from barrier ten with the stable jockey Grant van Niekerk in the irons.

It is hard to look beyond these two for a winner, but there are several other very capable runners when it comes to filling the minor places. The ever consistent Captain America (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}), a Grade 1 winner in his own right over a mile, finished a game third in the Green Point Stakes, while Triple Crown winner Abashiri (SAf) (Go Deputy) seems to be heading back to his best. Sean Tarry's second runner French Navy (Saf) (Count Dubois) could also finish in the mix.

The WFA R1 million G1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock S. over 1800m on turf is the fillies and mares feature on Saturday and here it is hard to ignore the Justin Snaith trained Bela-Bela (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}). The smart grey 4-year-old has won five of her eight starts including the G2 Fillies Guineas and the G1 Woolavington S. (2000m). Taking on the older horses in the G1 Vodacom Durban July, Bela-Bela finished a very creditable 6th, 2.65 lengths off the winner, The Conglomerate (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}). Her recent seasonal debut resulted in a facile victory and she is unlikely to be headed come Saturday. Champion jockey Anton Marcus will be in the irons and Bela- Bela jumps from barrier six in the 12-horse field.

Her main dangers are regular foe Silver Mountain (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}) and the Tarry trained Safe Harbour (SAf) (Elusive Fort (SAf), who receives 5.5 kg from more than half the field. Plagued with foot problems, Silver Mountain's last victory was in the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas over a year ago, but she seems to be back to her best and could give the flying grey a run for her money. Winner of the Lanzerac Ready To Run S., Safe Harbour was just piped on the post in the recent G1 Cape Fillies Guineas and with her weight advantage she is hard to ignore.

Both races are Breeders' Cup Win and You're In races and with a consignment of horses including Marinaresco and Silver Mountain heading to the States in March, a win for either could see them competing in San Diego come November.