“The draw for the final has completely changed the complexion of how the race might be run. It certainly isn’t how I would have placed them if it had been a graded event.”
Doncaster racing manager Stephen Gray reckons Wednesday’s SIS Yorkshire Leger Final will be an absolute cracker despite the loss of two of the fancied runners from Saturday’s semi finals.
The first semi final, by general consent, the tougher of the two, went to Charlie Lister’s Swift Hansel who led up and was never challenged.
Defending champion Rubys Rascal, and the ‘stayer of the summer’, Karlow Turbo were held up in traffic and failed to qualify. Dinnington Lady ran on gamely for second, who, following her run-off, was contesting her third six-bender in a week.
The second semi appeared the easier of the two and it went according to the formbook with the top three in the betting qualifying, though not necessarily is SP order. Henlow’s Russelena Reggoe dominated from box to beam from Charlie Lister’s second finalist Keplar Run with Cuba Libra running on gamely for third.
The draw for the final: 1) Cuba Libra, 2) Russelena Reggie, 3) Swift Hansel, 4) Keplar Nine (W) 5) Jetstream Lynx, (W) 6) Dinnington Lady (W)
Stephen Gray said: “Swift Hansel has looked from the beginning like the dog they all have to beat. But the draw has made it interesting and if Cuba Libra can come away, I think he will win it. Of all the finalists, he left the most on the track and ran a superb race to qualify.
“I certainly think both his connections and Russelena Reggie’s will be delighted to be drawn on the inside of the likely favourite.
“Things are more complicated on the outside. I thought Dinnington Lady ran an immense race to finish second but an I am not convinced that either she or Jetstream Lynx are wide runners.
“I think they would both prefer the middle and will struggle to get a clear run if Keplar Nine breaks in his usual style. If I had been grading them, I would have done the draw 1) Russelena Reggie, 2) Swift Hansel, 3) Cuba Libra, 4) Dinnington Lady, 5) Jetstream Lynx, 6) Keplar Nine.
“Whatever happens, it is a fantastic final which should make a great spectacle.”
