FINAL FIELD J&B Met 2016

Itsarush: Press Release
Subject: Draws announced for J&B Met
Date: 21 January 2016


The J&B Met draw ceremony was conducted after the traditional gallops at
Kenilworth yesterday and all eyes were on the names of the big guns, the
favourite Legal Eagle, the defending champion and Equus Horse Of The Year
Futura and his stablemate and former Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate.


All three of them drew superbly in the 15 horse field. Legal Eagle jumps
from draw 3, from where Anton Marcus will have many options, Futura is two
inside of the draw he had last year in 6 and Legislate drew 4.


The Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup runner up Deo Juvente (announced as a doubtful
starter due an injury and could not gallop - stipes permission) is next in
the betting behind the dynamic trio and drew 11.


Master Sabina has drawn wide in 14, which gives him a tough task
considering he jumped from a good draw of seven when winning the Sansui
Summer Cup.


The fancy of many Captain America, who will attempt to make it two Mets for
trainer Brett Crawford in successive years,


The only filly in the race Smart Call, who is quietly fancied by pundits
over an ideal distance, landed a fair draw of eight.


The Gr 2 Peninsula winner Light The Lights has come into his own since
gelding and landed the coveted pole position draw, from where his excellent
turn of foot should be effective in the straight.


Not so lucky was last year’s runner up Gold Onyx in the widest draw of all
15, but it should not bother him as he likes to be dropped out due to his
renowned short run in, in which he must be covered up until as late in the
race as possible.


The evergreen Punta Arenas ran third from a wide draw two years ago and
just loves to gallop so won’t be too phased by a draw of ten.


The biggest outsider in the race, Krambambuli, could possibly be a
pacemaker for Futura and Legislate so a draw of 12 should give him plenty
of time and room to get to the front.


Helderberg Blue ran third last year from a draw of 14 and now has a plum
draw of 2, although he faces a tougher field.


His stablemate Paterfamilias has a tough draw of 13 but this might enable
him to get handy from where he has done well in big races before.


Rank outsider King Of Pain has beaten the best in a Gr 1 weight for age
mile before and has proven he stays this trip, so at if bouncing back to
his best could be a threat from a nice draw of seven, especially
considering his Gr 1 win was over 18 months ago meaning he does not have to
carry the 2kg Gr 1 penalty that all of Legal Eagle, Futura, Legislate,
Master Sabina, Captain America and Smart Call have to carry.


One of the six Highveld-trained horses Mac De Lago has landed a tricky draw
of nine over a trip which should suit perfectly, but he does have a fine
turn of foot so can afford to come from off the pace.

This is going to be a great race!!!! All the decent horses drew well. Cant wait!

Also Deo Juvente is a doubtful starter because apparently it cut itself on a broken glass bottle on the beach while it was rolling around.

Agree TP, most eyes will be glued on stall gates 3,4,5 and 6 when the starter says go. Going to be a thrilling 2 mins of pure thoroughbred racing. It is almost like I'm looking past this weekends Million $ race meeting already, very excited!!

I cant help but look at that 2kg KoP gets from futura and Legislate, not in great form but hope whoever rides him has him handy from that draw, the way bernard rode him in premier cup was great just unfortunate he couldnt get a gap.. E/w for me..

Any update on Deo Juvente?