Legislate scratched from Met

Yesterday the bell tolled and he pulled his charge out of the big race.

Legislate was found to have a severe lung infection after running last in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate earlier this month and Snaith was holding thumbs that he would recover in time to take part in the Cape’s premier race. That was not to be, however. “As soon as we took him off the medication he went downhill again. His lungs filled up with muck.

“He’s still got the bug and I can’t take the chance that he’ll run as badly as in the Queen’s Plate where he ran 10 lengths below his ability. That just shows how sick he was! It would be unfair to him, his owners and the public to run him.

“His owners, John Mitchell, Gaynor Rupert and Dennis Evans aren’t interested in anything but the horse. He’s a champion and has a lot of racing ahead of him. He looks a million dollars and would be the best-looking horse in the parade ring. But I think I’ve made the right decision.”

Snaith said Legislate would be rested for a few months now and a decision taken about his future once he had fully recovered from the virus.