Do It Again (SAf) Twice Over {GB}) confirmed his G1 Vodacom Durban July victory was no fluke with a win in the G1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate-a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile–at Kenilworth on Saturday. The 2019 edition of the race had been billed as the race of the year, with dual Horse of the Year Legal Eagle (SAf) (Grey's Inn) attempting to win the race for the fourth time, thus tying with the record set by Pocket Power in 2010. Out to prevent that dream was Do It Again, Group 1 winner Undercover Agent (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}) and star newcomer Rainbow Bridge (SAf) (Ideal World). When all four recently met in the G2 Green Point S., Legal Eagle prevailed by a nose with 0.15 lengths covering the four. Joining the mix was Mike de Kock's 3-year-old colt Soqrat (Aus) (Hussonnet), winner of the G1 Cape Guineas on Dec. 15
After seeing Rainbow Bridge suffer under the false pace in the Green Point, trainer Eric Sands promptly entered a pacemaker for the Queen's Plate in the form of the 7-year-old Amazing Strike and as expected, jockey Greg Cheyne bounced the gelding smartly out of the gate and set off at a blistering pace down the 1600m of the summer course. Rainbow Bridge sat comfortably in the pack, just in front of Do It Again and Legal Eagle, while Undercover Agent and Soqrat chased after the hare.
Coming into the home straight, Undercover Agent appeared to be going the best and briefly held the lead once Amazing Strike threw in the towel. His lead was however short-lived, as Soqrat stormed up to take charge. Legal Eagle sparked briefly, but it was Do It Again, demonstrating an incredible turn of foot, who flew up to take up the duel with Soqrat. Do It Again was not to be defeated and crossed the line in front with a neck separating the two. Rainbow Bridge finished 2.75 lengths back in third, with Legal Eagle in fourth a further length back. Do It Again now heads for the G1 Sun Met (2000m) on Jan. 6 and according to trainer Justin Snaith, “he will be a hard horse to beat.”
Saturday, Kenilworth, South Africa
L'ORMARINS QUEEN'S PLATE-G1, R1,500,000, Kenilworth, 1-5, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:37.29, gd.
1–DO IT AGAIN (SAF), 132, g, 4, by Twice Over (GB)
1st Dam: Sweet Virginia (Saf) (MGSW-SAf), by Casey Tibbs (Ire)
2nd Dam: Millie Bovana (SAf), by Royal Prerogative (GB)
3rd Dam: Modern Millie (SAf), by Oligarchy
O-N Jonsson, B Kantor & W J C Mitchell; B-Northfields Stud
(SAF); T-Justin Snaith; J-Richard Fourie. R937,500. Lifetime
Record: 10 starts, 5 wins, 4 places, R4,285,000. *1/2 to
Strongman (Saf) (Stronghold {GB}), SW & GSP-SAf, MGSW-HK;
and Vilakazi (Saf) (Visionaire), GSP-SAf. Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Soqrat (Aus), 121, c, 3, Epaulette (Aus)–Elzeeza (Aus), by
Hussonet. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum;
B-Shadwell Stud Australasia Ltd (AUS); T-Mike De Kock.
R300,000.
3–Rainbow Bridge (SAf), 132, g, 4, Ideal World–Halfway To
Heaven (SAf), by Jet Master (SAf). O-Estate Of The Late M C
Gerber; B-Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein (SAF); T-Eric Sands.
R150,000.
Margins: NK, 2 3/4, 1. Odds: 4.50, 5.00, 3.20.
Also Ran: Legal Eagle (SAf), Undercover Agent (SAf), Snowdance (SAf), Hat Puntano (Arg), Infamous Fox (Aus), Amazing Strike (SAf). Scratched: Buffalo Bill Cody (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
