The Gr 1 Daily News 2000 produced the thrilling finish that everyone expected, with Legislate (SAF) prevailing by the tightest of margins in the Greyville showpiece on Saturday. The drama, though, came from an unexpected source as the relatively unfancied Rake’s Chestnut (SAF) flew up in the dying strides to challenge the winner, only to find the line coming a stride too soon. Triple Crown hero Louis The King (SAF) produced an extraordinary effort to finish third ahead of Captain America (SAF).

All eyes were on the fancied pair of Legislate and Louis The King as the pens opened and Richard Fourie opted to drop Legislate out from a wide draw instead of trying to get across early. Louis The King, meanwhile, broke sluggishly and Kevin Shea had to ride him out early on to stay in touch. In any event, the two market rivals ended up sitting at the rear of the field, not a scenario that many would have predicted before the race.

Up front, it was As You Like who went out to make the running from Top Jet with Captain America enjoying the box seat on the rails in third. Whistle Stop and Everest were next best ahead of Atomic Rush, Bezanova, Rake’s Chestnut and Earl Of Derby.

The decisive moment of the race came shortly before the runners entered the straight. Fourie made a bold move wide out, taking Legislate past runners to ensure he could challenge for the lead as they turned for home and not risk being caught behind tiring horses.

Captain America got first run as they entered the straight, with Bezanova moving up to challenge. Legislate and Rake’s Chestnut were widest of all and starting to wind up for their final efforts while Louis The King was still some way back, looking for room and seemingly going nowhere.

Legislate got to Captain America and kicked clear of him as the last furlong approached. He looked set for a clear-cut victory at this stage but his exertions at the top of the straight started to tell and Rake’s Chestnut loomed as a serious threat inside the last 100m. It was touch and go as the line approached but Legislate was not to be denied and lasted long enough to notch up his third classic win of the season, following his victories in the Cape Derby and KRA Guineas.

This was a win full of merit as Legislate had to overcome a very wide draw, a particularly daunting feat at Greyville these days, the more so in this class. He would have expended plenty of energy as he made his move before entering the straight and the fact that he still found a finishing kick when it mattered highlighted the fact that he is the real deal, as a lesser horse simply would not have been able to sustain that kind of effort. The Vodacom Durban July now looms and he will surely shorten in the betting after this win, which provided jockey Fourie and trainer Justin Snaith with a Gr 1 double on the day, following In The Fast Lane’s victory in the Woolavington 2000.

Rake’s Chestnut was the surprise package of the race. He had certainly shown some promise but, as a one-time winner with only three runs under his belt, it looked as if this race might come too soon for him. He responded with a cracking effort and looks well capable of landing a big one in his own right in due course.

Louis The King’s connections and fans will be gutted at tasting defeat here, but he produced a remarkable effort in the circumstances. Clearly not himself, he was in trouble right from the start and looked unlikely to finish in the top six halfway down the straight. He somehow threaded his way through to finish third, without ever finding any kind of momentum. One can only guess how much the Triple Crown took out of him and, although beaten, he came out of the race with his reputation intact.

Captain America was not disgraced in fourth and finds himself in a sort of limbo following this performance. Six months ago, he looked the most likely of any of these runners to go on and win a classic but Legislate has clearly improved past him for now, and there isn’t much room for argument after three successive defeats at the latter’s hooves. One still feels that he is capable of notching up a big graded success in his own right, but he has a few questions to answer at present.

Fifth-placed Bezanova deserves a mention as he was only beaten 1.65 lengths. Given the quality of the horses that beat him home, it was a perfectly creditable effort and he has enjoyed a satisfactory winter campaign, following his second in the KRA Guineas.

3 b c Dynasty – Champers by Restructure (IRE)
Mr W J C Mitchell, Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) & Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D E Evans) 
Bred by Cheveley Stud
Winning trainer: Justin Snaith