Eroy rivals stand no chance
Published:Saturday | December 5, 2020 | 8:36 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
EROY advertised his well-being by galloping out of his backyard Sunday morning, the nine-furlong chute, blazing six and a half furlongs in 1:19.4, telling all and sundry that he has recovered from the stone squeeze, which made him an early scratch on November 21.
The son of Kohzan, Florida’s leading stallion this year, returns with tongue tie fitted at a mile this afternoon and is expected to blitz his 13 rivals at his favourite trip.
MASTER OF HALL has the only semblance of pace to try testing EROY. He came out of the woodwork on last to chase JAMAI RAJA in unforgiving splits at seven and a half furlongs before being relegated to third by late-charging LEGALITY.
That was his best effort since beaten in a blanket finish by RACE CAR and SENTIENT on August 6, signalling a return to form. However, he is up against a tough foreigner who continues to scorch the exercise track in the mornings.
Having put away both the Jamaica Derby and St Leger winners at a mile in two of his last four starts, forgive EROY his run at nine furlongs and 25 yards in the mud, drawn widest and not handling the underfoot conditions when finishing down the track behind shock winner, ROY ROGERS, on November 7.
EROY showed his versatility and class on September 13, sitting level with topweight and chasing another top-notch importee, SIR ALTON, at six furlongs on September 13 before returning to floor KING ARTHUR at a mile in 1:37.0 on October 10.
Prior to being scratched, EROY had posted a bullet 1:05.0 for five and a half furlongs, a work only bettered by TOONA CILIATA’s 1:04.3 two days later.
LEGALITY remains a genuine closer who is sure to run his usual honest race. He has been in great shape for a horse who recently returned off an 11-month lay-up. However, he will have to await his turn with EROY around.
TRICKY ONE and BIGBANG, LEGALITY’s stablemates, will also be coming to earn a share as their trainer, Anthony Nunes, battles to keep his head in front of Wayne DaCosta in the title race. Keep them all in mind for the hi-five.