Jockey Richard Fourie remains confident the easing favourite Legislate is the horse to beat in Saturday’s R3.5 million Vodacom Durban July at Greyville.
Legislate is being challenged for favouritism by Louis The King following a flood of money for Geoff Woodruff’s Triple Crown winner since the weekend.
Legislate has been flawless in his preparation, winning both his starts in Durban this winter after beating Captain America in the Investec Cape Derby in January in his third-last start.
Fourie is Snaith’s stable jockey and is looking forward to the Durban July with confidence.“He’s a star horse and I’ve never seen him looking as good,” Fourie said.
“Yes, there’s a high calibre of horse in the race, but Legislate is really smart and is on the ascension.“He’s an absolute gentleman to ride, straightforward with no kink in his armour. I’m excited to see what’s coming after this.”
Legislate’s popularity in the betting is ebbing as the three-year-old drew wide in gate 14. If reserve runners do not take part he will start from 11 in the field of 16.Fourie does not believe the draw will have much of an impact on his performance.
“Ïn the Daily News 2000 he raced three deep and quickened so hard that he put a blanket over the rest. He’s a very special horse, way above the others his age.”
Fourie only returned to riding last week following an injury-enforced holiday.Fourie injured his shoulder in a fall in the Gold Challenge at Clairwood on June 7.
The jockey had been riding the crest of a wave before the fall in his bid to catch S’manga Khumalo at the top of the jockeys’ log, riding several winners at most meetings. The fall scuppered any chance he had of realising that ambition but he was straight back among the winners at Kenilworth on Saturday winning the Winter Oaks on Irish Myth.Fourie committed to riding Legislate in the Durban July months ago but half envies Grant van Niekerk riding the stable’s other runner, the talented three-year-old filly In The Fast Lane.
“If I was given the choice now I wouldn’t be able to separate them,” Fourie said. “It would be a coin-toss.“She has a very good draw, stays well and at the weights she’s good enough to be competitive.
“She’s versatile and has an amazing turn of foot – she’s our next champion filly.”Geoff Woodruff feels Louis The King has come on significantly since his third behind Legislate in the Daily News 2000.
“Louis has made good improvement physically. He’s a very happy horse and that is important,” Woodruff said.“I just hope everything goes according to plan.”
Louis The King suffered interference at the start in the Daily News and took a while to get going in the straight before running on smartly.“I don’t think we can say he didn’t like the course,” said Woodruff. “From his position turning for home I don’t think he could win. The course wasn’t the issue.
“He’s doing very well in Durban and I like him.“He’s one of those horses, you just hope gets a clear run and then you will see the true ability.”
Woodruff also saddles Rake’s Chestnut, who finished ahead of Louis The King in the Daily News, going down a short head to Legislate despite some interference.“There’s not much between them other than experience,” said the trainer.
“Rake’s Chestnut has done everything we’ve asked of him. We’ve asked the impossible and he has almost delivered.“I rate him highly and the only thing that might catch him out is lack of experience.”
Tellina is Woodruff’s third runner but last year’s Gauteng Guineas winner put up a poor showing the G3 Jubilee Handicap.“It was a horrible last run but we had a virus scare and he pulled up showing viral signs. We’ve put him on a quick-fire course of antibiotics and I’m hoping to goodness it has done the job,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff still believes Legislate is the runner to beat.“If he gets first run in the straight he is a very big runner. It’s by no means cut and dried and we’re not going to treat the opposition lightly.”
