Futura and Legislate will meet for the first time since the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on June 6.

Justin Snaith, who won the 2008 Gold Challenge with Dancer’s Daughter, yesterday confirmed that his two stable stars will clash in the mile Grade 1 and said that he has no compunctions about them taking each other on.

He added: “If there was ever a time for that I think this is it. It is going to be one of the biggest races we have seen in a long time. Let’s see who is the best.”

Snaith added that he was delighted with Futura’s winning return in last Sunday’s Pinnacle. “It was a very slow run race which wouldn’t have suited him and under the conditions I don’t think he could have done any better than he did. Furthermore he has pulled up beautifully.”

Things haven’t been such plain sailing with Legislate. He didn’t do any damage when he kicked out and struck the pens on his aborted return in the Drill Hall but he got extremely worked up when led back past the stands.

Snaith said: “It took a lot out of him and that is why we haven’t been able to run him since.”

However the champion trainer was most impressed by the Vodacom Durban July winner’s recent racecourse work-out and said: “He galloped the house down!”

Meanwhile, it has been decided that Snaith’s promising three-year-old colt Heartland will not be taking part in any more Champions Season features. The full-brother to Jackson was caught wide last time out when unplaced in the KRA Guineas and was later scratched from the Vodacom Durban July on the grounds of a stamina doubt. The yard still believe he has a “nice future” and he will be saved for a feature campaign next season.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Legislate (Liesl King)