WINNING COMEBACK. Last year's Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate is expected to make a winning comeback in today's Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Greyville.
There will be R500,000 pumped into the Pick 6 and the estimated pool is R3-million. Featured on the day are the KRA Guineas and KRA Fillies Guineas, both over 1600m, but the focus of the day will be the return to the track of last season’s multiple Equus Award winner Legislate in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m.
The four-year-old son of Dynasty has not been seen since trailing in at the back of the field behind his new stablemate, Futura, in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
Trainer Justin Snaith gave him a light gallop on the sand under Sean Cormack on Monday who reported him to be “moving well but blowing a bit”. That resulted in Snaith remarking: “I take it that he will need his first run and he is drawn in the bush anyway.”
Having said that, it would be terribly disappointing should Legislate not be fit enough to win a race of this nature. He is unbeaten at Greyville in three starts, he is fresh so the distance should not be too sharp, he is the best handicapped runner and No 9 draw is hardly “in the bush”. One must also remember many of these horses are in the same position and are using this race as a stepping stone to something bigger in the season.
Richard Fourie takes the ride once again.
If Legislate does fluff his lines the race should be between King Of Pain, Chekilli, Bouclette Top and Ice Machine.
Harry’s Son looked hard to beat in the KRA Guineas but he had to be withdrawn after suffering an injury. That should leave the way open for Kingvoldt to crack a Grade 2 victory. He has lived in the shadow of stablemate Act Of War but this could be his day to step into the sunlight. Bernard Fayd’Herbe rides.
Stable companion The Conglomerate has some very good recent form but one feels he will need a touch further. He will have Anton Marcus up and that is in his favour.
However, the biggest threat to Kingvoldt should come from Anjaal, who bounced back to form in no uncertain manner last time. He was only a neck behind Harry’s Son in last year’s Premiers Champion Stakes over this course and distance and from barrier No 4 and Anthony Delpech up, Mike de Kock’s charge needs to be included in all bets.
Inara looks hard to oppose in the Fillies Guineas. She won her last two races, both Grade 1 affairs, against stronger and older company at Kenilworth ad even based on her second behind Majmu in the Cape Fillies Guineas, Mike Bass’ charge looks the runner to beat.