By Mark van Deventer
The Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m is the headliner on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Eight entries will face the starter at 15h10. Let’s go through the participants in card order:
RASCALLION was somewhat below best last time when one-pacing it up the straight off a hot early pace in the Variety Club Mile, though in reality he had little hope of conceding 9.5kg’s to potential star 3YO, GARRIX. If he runs back to the excellent level of Gr 1 and Gr 2 form that he has sustained throughout an admirable career, then he must be reckoned with as a potential winner. Forceful, Sean Veale, who gets on nicely with Vaughan Marshall’s 7YO, will try roust RASCALLION for another bold effort.
GARRIX asserted himself after racing handy in the first Leg of this Winter Series and can go in again. He has every chance of realising big potential now that he is a gelding. Trainer Piet Steyn prefers building horses up steadily, hence the decision to keep GARRIX in the Cape during Winter, but he harbours long term Gr 1 plans for his extremely talented charge come Summer 25/26. High percentage hoop, Gavin Lerena will be the fourth jockey to partner GARRIX in only eight starts.
BILLY BOWLEGS is hinting at a form return. This ex- Highveld campaigner now conditioned by Eric Sands has suffered some tough trips recently and with a clear round can hit the frame. It is however all of 833 days since he last won. Craig Zackey, who has won on him before, takes the reins.
Seriously smart, 3YO LA PULGA is short list material. He receives 2kg’s from contemporary Garrix which just about puts him in the ballpark. Grant van Niekerk rides the Candice Bass Robinson runner, who has won three of ten starts and loves 1800m.
It’s hard to know which WITHOUT QUESTION will turn up on race day – he is a Jekyll and Hyde type character. He was only a length off RASCALLLION when third in the 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET, but subsequent runs have been far below that level.
OTTO LUYKEN
OTTO LUYKEN is a doughty staying gelding that usually races handy and grinds it out. The weight turnaround with RASCALLION in the Premier’s Trophy gives him a theoretical shake, yet his overall profile and low strike rate (3 wins from 24 starts) dampens enthusiasm. Crawford Racing have elected to fit blinkers for this race which could make him a lively pace threat.
MAGIC VERSE would be very dangerous on best form. Using the Premier Trophy as a gauge, he has the beating of RASCALLION on these weight terms. He blew like a gale in the betting last time when going off too fast then tiring behind GARRIX. If ridden with a bit more restraint, which is usually the case under JP van der Merwe, then Justin Snaith’s runner comes into the picture.
Snaith also sends out prolific winner, MUCHO DINERO who has scored in seven of 20 starts. He may be at his absolute best over longer routes yet goes well fresh and has won four times over 1800m. Richard Fourie, who connects at a 25% winning strike rate, is another positive factor.
There are no tearaway front runners in this field. Quite a few are at least comfortable going handy (RASCALLION, GARRIX, OTTO LUYKEN and MAGIC VERSE) which raises the spectre of a relatively slow run race down the back straight. Positioning, jockeyship and the ability to quicken up are important attributes under these circumstances.
GARRIX ticks all those boxes and is the pick as he seems to get progressively stronger at each racecourse appearance.
Main rivals include fellow 3YO LA PULGA; familiar foes RASCALLION and MAGIC VERSE with MUCHO DINERO and BILLY BOWLEGS rating place chances.
