French Navy to strike in London

While most of the country’s best middle-distance runners will be participating in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth today, the overflow are up in Joburg and will be running in the Grade 3 London News Stakes over 1800m.

In fact, if one had to add one runner into the Queen’s Plate to complement the field it would undoubtedly be French Navy. However, he is at Turffontein on his favourite Standside track and is undoubtedly the runner they will all have to beat.

The Sean Tarry-trained runner is the best weighted participant but only 1.5kg better handicapped than Killua Castle. The son of Count Dubois showed his wellbeing last time when he ran on strongly to beat Bezanova in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m at the course. He will be even better over 1800m and it will be interesting to see whether Tarry is keeping his charge on the boil in order to run in the J&B Met.

Initially Tarry indicated he was unlikely to take French Navy to Cape Town but that may well have changed and a convincing victory in the London News Stakes might convince the connections to take a chance at Kenilworth. S’manga Khumalo rides.

After his victory over Legal Eagle last time on the Inside track Killua Castle looks the main danger. He won this race last year and now carries 1.5kg less. Devin Habib takes the ride for the Geoff Woodruff yard.

Others with chances include Flying The Flag, Judicial, Mac De Lago and Bezanova.

The Listed Sea Cottage Stakes, also over 1800m, looks a straight duel between Mike Azzie-trained Abashiri and Ormond Ferraris’ Romany Prince, with the vote going to Abashiri.